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

panzrwagn Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 451 posts 08-22-2023 at 06:48pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The McIntosh MA-252 Hybrid Integrated Amp. For $4500 It has a classic 12AX7/12AT7 based tube preamp with a very decent phono stage and a 100W/Ch 8 Ohm / 160W/Ch 4 Ohm Class AB amp. It is built like a tank and looks very much the classic McIntosh piece it is. If that's not enough power, the MA-352 doubles the output to 200/320 W/Ch, and the MA-12000 takes it up to 320 W/Ch. I could wax rhapsodic about ancient and essentially unavailable audio components (An Audio Research SP3-A1 or APT Holman preamp and the Nelson Pass designed 100W/Ch Adcom 5500 MOSFET pairing comes to mind - I own the APT/Adcom pair), and beyond the SQ of the MA-252, which is very much in line with your ask, there's a lot of peace of mind that comes from a new amp from a known manufacturer that will stand behind their product for decades.