Impressions: $1k-$2k integrated amps

Been living with the Creek Evolution 50a with Ruby2 DAC board the last 2 weeks,VERY first SS amp I've had in almost 15 years,having been strictly into tubes...
 ABSOLUTELY amazed how far SS has come.This amp displays wonderful color & texture through the upper bass & midrange,a sweet,extended treble,good solid bass with very good tone & texture,imaging & staging not at tube level but much better than I expected..Interestingly the headphone circuit is SUPERB,rivaling the tube can amps I've demo'd & owned(Schiit,Cavalli,modded APPJ Audio & Woo Audio)...

@skypunk:I just last week demo'd the 340iX & the headphone circuit was GARBAGE!Flat,colorless,lifeless,inexcusable in a $5000.00 unit..

In the up to $2000.00 range,tube amps from Cayin,Yaqin or Jolida will outperform ANYTHING suggested in a Solid State amp!

helomech:Ohhh I would have to disagree.There is a dealer on that free site selling the 52 lb.,hand built in Italy including IN HOUSE built transformers,EL34(x 6 tubes) Parallel Single Ended,auto biasing "Box" for a cool $2000.00($3500.00 rtl)..Probably the deal of the decade & I’m betting the bass from that monster will rock my entire apt.bldg...Look at the BIG guns from Ayon & such,they weigh 20-30 lbs more than the most expensive ML or Mac...Haven’t heard one yet but I can’t imagine the bass being anything other than amazing & rivaling most SS amps save for Hegel & similar HIGH damping amps..