Affordable SS that sound like Tubes

I was a 100% vinyl guy for many years. Due to maintenance cost and aggravation I switched to DSD after a lot of research and I have no regrets.

I am looking for suggestions on affordable SS that sounds as good as Tubes.

Here's the rub. My Mid Monos were less than $2,000 brand new and they sound incredible. As does my Pre that costed me less than $1,000.

Integrated suggestions are welcomed.

And I would like to hear from people that had fine tube equipment and switched to fine SS equipment.

And please, no mention of "Tubes have Higher Distortion." LOL

tonydennison08-21-2023 4:57pm

ghdprentice Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,658 posts 08-22-2023 at 01:36am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @audioman58 I get that. I remember hearing great Sansui equipment when I was in college in the 70’s before I discovered / could afford high end equipment. Then over the ensuing fifty years equipment has become better and better. But it is hard to argue because in 1973 I was just too stoned to be sure if it was the equipment or my state of mind.
ghdprentice Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,658 posts 08-22-2023 at 01:04am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @audioman58 Sorry… what are you responding to? I have no idea… I doubt I am alone.
ghdprentice Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,658 posts 08-22-2023 at 12:50am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete After fifty years of pursuing the high end… the first forty with solid state amps.. I will not go back to solid state. I found that tube amps can be incredibly reliable and more importantly musical. When I was working I put about 600 hours a year on my system. That would require retubing about every five years. I now listen a lot more and have replaced four tubes in the last three years, one DOA and three at normal maintenance time.