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Is there a SS amp that can offer tube bliss?

I currently own a tube system and love the sound. But honestly I'm not sure if I have the proper disposition for this tube thing. I cannot stand the constant worry over tube wear, looking around for NOS tubes, and wondering if maybe...just maybe my system will sound better if I spend still more money on different tubes. I would love to find a SS amp that will give me what my tube gear does and rid me of the worry about maintenance and the discontent inherent in tube upgrading. I've heard the Clayton M100s are wonderful and offer a "tube" sound. Any other SS amps to replace tubes? Any advice is most welcome.
Thank you.
samwise
jont
54 posts
 
NO, but I'll through out the BAT VK200....
jm88439
40 posts
 
Aria WT-100 Hybrid does a great job of reproducing tube tonality. In terms of full bodied, 3D midrange, I still feel a all tube design is best. Either way you go you must accept compromise however.
cenline
238 posts
 
The Sim audio w-5 is a amp that I think is just as smooth as tubes with resolution that is the best I've heard in my room.The soundtaging is soooo massive and the midrange is palapable and real, the highs are extremely clean and extendedwithout sounding splashy.The low end on this amp is very accurate and fast with good punch.My speakers are a cruel load at 87db, and when I drive this amp loud and hard there is no heat on the heat sinks.Well I also own a MFA D75 and have had 4000hours on the oem tubes kt90 and with no trouble at all.Maybe a different tube amp may be in order,I think a used w-5 is a very good bargain with no headaches (advil is helpful in this area also).If you can get both since there is no absolute sound -Dennis
dirtyragamuffin
213 posts
 
I really don't think tubes are the pain that you make then sound like. My tubes amps sound so glllloooorrrrriously good that I simply don't worry about "how much better" they could sound. I've not been compelled to hunt for NOS tubes and even so, I'm a JJ tube fan--they sound close to the best NOS tubes, are very affordable, and readily available. The only bummer about tubes is waiting ten or fifteen minutes for them to warm up a little--but even that isn't such a big deal as I have incorporated it into my listening routine. Waiting for the tubes to warm is a great time to clean records, check VTF, or pur yourself a beer ;) Take it from me, my generation isn't supposed to have any patience ;)

But at any rate, check out the LFD Mistral integrateds. Tubes are tubes and no SS will sounds like them, and although I have not auditioned these in person, I have it on good authority from opinions I trust that these are fairly "tube-like" SS amps. They're also quite affordable, available with two different power amp sections, and either internal or external optional phono stage if you wish.

Good luck!
royy
148 posts
 
No, but if you want something natural and uncolored try Gamut D200 amp.
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