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Integrateds: Warm sounding SS vs Hybrid

I have recently had Bryston B60 and Unison Unico amps. They each had their strengths. Overall I liked the Unico better, its more forward, fuller sound and a wider soundstage, due to its tube preamp. However, I wasn't enamored with the tube hiss I was getting, I realize that there might have been a problem with the amp, but I have read about others having this problem. With no music playing, or very quiet passages in classical music, the hiss could be heard from the listening position6-8 feet away.

I have read reviews of some SS amps where their sound is described as "tube-like".

My questions are:

1) Has anyone who had owned tubed gear heard a SS integrated that sounds like tubes?

2) Was my experience with Unison tube hiss likely due to faulty gear/tubes, etc?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
sandman012
bobgates
535 posts
 
I've had a couple tube integrated amps over the years, a Consonance M100 plus and Jolida 1501, and my Onkyo A-9555, eventhough it is completely solid-state, has a nice tube-like warmth to it once it has completely broken in. You might give it a listen.
chipgreenberg
10 posts
 
Nice sounding, reasonable price
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
I haven't had a tube integrated but have had a solid state/tube hybrid integrated. (LSA Signature). I would say you might want to try the Plinius 9200 which I also owned and has a tubelike quality.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I'd give the Unico another shot - The sample I've heard did not exhibit any tube noise at all. That could have been a sign that the tubes were in need of replacement, or that something else was going wrong. I thought it was an excellent choice for an integrated at a moderate price.

It's not an integrated, but a very nice SS alternative that has the midrange 'warmth' of tubes are the Pass Aleph 3 and 30 (very similar). You would need a preamp or some kind of attenuator or passive volume control though. Also I believe these are both Class A amps that are best left on 24/7 for optimum sound and do put off a bit of heat.

I liked the Portal Audio Panache integrated, but would not call its sound "tube like". Still a very nice SS integrated for not alot of money.
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