HELP: I need a solid state amp with a tube sound

With regards to the liquid musical timber, the pace, attack and vibrancy that a tube amplifier can naturally offer (if it is a good tube design and driving a load within it's peak operational performance values), I would suggest that you purchase a used Rowland amp. The Rowland amps seem to "pull" at you to drag you into the vastness of their soundstage (much like a tube amp) and they make you "feel" as if you are a "part" of the musical performance ... and they do it no matter "what" the volume setting... From "barely" able to hear it (microdynamics) to "front row" (concert level) loudness, the Rowland amplifiers are (quite simply) "magical". I am (currently) using Maggie 1.6QR's with a Rowland 112 and it is Audio Nirvana. The result is downright scarey with its holographic imaging and emotionally riviting involvement. Rowlands are not about "power" or "spec's" ... they about stating the "art" and bringing out "musical emotion". Your hunt for an amp will (forever) be over and you will never turn back.You can pick up Rowland within your budget (used), but models will vary. The 112 is usually a tad more than you wish to spend, but who knows what one may find ?

Another pathway to "tube" euphoria would be to use a Musical Fidelity (Thank's PhaseCorrect !) X-10D between the Pre-amp and amp. They really do turn the sterile, chalky, Surface of the Sun, bleached sound (of Solid State) into a pleasing and listenable event. They are quite cheap as well. Musical Fidelity does not make them any more, but they pop up (on AudiogoN) from time to time (about 150.00). They use two 6DJ8/6922 tubes and they react well to "tube rolling".In a way, this whole topic is a tad moot at the price range that you are trolling in. 2500.00 for a "used" (or NEW) amplifier is a BUNCH of money (for SS or Tube). No matter what "Solid State" amp that you choose, it will have many positive facets in its favor (and should not have many that will disappoint). There are "always" exceptions to this and I'm sure that we (as Audiophools) have "all" had a "bad experience" or two (or nine). There is no "Gospel" in amp buying.