Just a follow up up from my original posting:
I searched for a low powered ss amp to replace my tube amp for summertime use, and settled on a Dalaudio Retro 3886 amp. I’m using very efficient speakers Zu Soul Superfly (101 db, 16 ohms) and needed a low power cool running unit.
Scott at Dalaudio was a delight to work with, and built a custom unit optimized for my 16 ohm speakers with upgraded power supply, heat sinks and upgraded Nichicon caps and Caddock resistors for a reasonable $500. The unit tested out at 32 watts at 16 ohms and even sent a picture of the actual unit as it was built and tested.
The build time was about 2 weeks. Out of the box, the unit was nicely built and finished with some heft due to the power supply. It’s dead quiet, very transparent, quite revealing with a very pure and clean sound. Music is fun to listen to with this amp and the Zus. Nice bass and the mids sound a little more three dimensional and pushed out into the center of the room. Overall it’s a great sounding unit. I really can’t find any faults. It runs very cool, and produces less heat that my hybrid preamp. This is my first experience with a chip amp, and it’s a keeper for the summer months!
