IME, Yamaha B-2 and Sony 5650 are VFET and sound the most tube-like. Tube-like is a relative term, these amps have a small serving of the magic whereas most SS have none. Accuphase E-202 is another candidate. Selectable Damping Factor slows down the show and is intended to match with horns. The lowest setting is in tube territory which gives the E-202 a small serving as well.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I'm looking for Power Amps only, the Accuphase and Sony you mentioned seem to be integrated amps. I love the sound of my Stereo 70 with it's RCA 6CA7's but I would like to give it a break once in a while.
So a medium power (at or under 100 watts per channel) amplifier that would work well with my ADS L810A's. I'll save the JBL Lancers for the Stereo 70.
IME, Yamaha B-2 and Sony 5650 are VFET and sound the most tube-like. Tube-like is a relative term, these amps have a small serving of the magic whereas most SS have none. Accuphase E-202 is another candidate. Selectable Damping Factor slows down the show and is intended to match with horns. The lowest setting is in tube territory which gives the E-202 a small serving as well.
There are just so many options, and price points. Even the power rating opens a huge net of contenders.
But amplifiers from companies like PSE, Belles, McCormack, Audire, PS Audio, Rowland, Classe, and Proceed are ones I would look closely at. Even the Monarchy amps can be quite lovely.
It depends on how much you want to spend, It would be nice to know what pre-amp we are pairing this with also.
Regards
Mister Pig
I can recommend an Adcom GFA 535. Mid power, affordable, used often to demo speakers.
McIntosh transformer coupled amps could fit the bill. Also, cap coupled amps are another design to investigate. These amps give the impression of warmth, if that even exists in the solid state world.
I would think that if you provided a list of criteria like power, you didn't specify for our response but did say you were thinking about a medium power unit, price range and any other qualifications that an amp would need to make your list, you will get a list you can use instead of a list of random amps. Extras might be meters some have to have meters or power LEDs, maybe an over power LED, protection relays to save the speakers in case of amp issues. Maybe you want some tube-like coloration in the sound.
Not my favorite, but my best sounding power amp is a McCormack DNA-1 to answer your title query almost correctly. If I had to pick an amp, one I haven't heard in 30 years, the Luxman 5M21 would the one.
Any Crown XLS series
Yes. Listening to the 1502 now. On my other systems I have 402s and 602s. Crown has mastered amplification.