solid state integrateds that will hold their value

I would add the Vitus SIA-025 class A integrated. These lovely integrateds rarely appear on A'gon for sale, and are quickly snapped up for good reason. The SIA-025 is a true balanced, dual mono, 25 Watt class A amp which uses an efficient Vitus-designed UI-core potted "floating" transformer with separate windings for the left & right channels. The preamplifier stage is made from one single "buffer" module which is also used in the SL-102.. so .. really good, whilst the output stage is drawn from the SM-010 mono amps. The Vitus in every respect is the best integrated amp i've owned by a fair margin. Btw, the SIA-025 was updated in early Q1, 2012 which optimized multiple areas of the amp - but with most focus on the modules in both pre and power amp part. Basically it gives a bit more of everything - higher resolution, better power handling.

Thanks Jafant. I'll drop you a hint by saying "not yet" ;) But agreed, it is a great combo, especially with Magico. I remember hearing the Q1's with a Vitus SIA-025, SCD-010 cdp & Siltech Royal Sig series cables. The sound was amazingly pure, tube-like (liquid) and analogue sounding. I was shocked to be honest & never forgot that.

Atmasphere, unless you're talking about niche brands like Audio Note and
Kondo, I can't agree with your statement. For a range of reasons SS
integrated amps are deemed more reliable, and therefore a lower risk
proposition. The majority of loudspeakers are not high efficiency speakers,
therefore most punters want an integrated amp capable of delivering high
current (stability) and authority when presented with a moderate to difficult
load. Then there is the attraction of low maintenance (ie: no waiting for
tubes to warm up, no tube swapping or adjusting bias). Loudspeakers
throwing a moderate to difficult load at a tube integrated product will place
a lot of stress on the tubes to supply current which can negatively impact
tube life and reliability. Tube hybrid integrateds like the Aesthetix Atlas are
a different story of course, but I'd argue SS integrated amps like Accuphase
etc hold their value better overall than thier tube counterparts.

@Stringreen, yeah Ayre is nice gear.

@Atmasphere, I just realized I was confusing popularity with resale value per say. I understand where you're coming from now, and you could be right as I haven't researched resale value on tube vs solid state gear. I am just approaching it from the point of view the majority of punters are unlikely to buy high efficiency speakers, and my thinking that those with inefficient speakers would be less likely to steer toward a tube integrated amp due to some of the reasons I mentioned. But I accept there are exceptions such as the classic Vac Phi Beta and Viva Solista Mk3. Zd's comment above is also valid. There are also highly sought after ss Class A integrated amps such Vitus which maintain good resale value. Accuphase also generally maintain good resale. Speaking for myself as an audiophile with 24 years experience, I can tell you I bought all my current gear eyes wide open.

@Zd, yes very true, though my Dealer looks after me.

"Yamaha Natural Sound"...isn't that an oxymoron? :D

09-13-14: Maxboy00
The Modwright KWI-200 is a great IA, plenty of info on the web. Sadly it does not hold its value as other brands, altho it's very well built, sounds great and is MFG in the US, none the less it's a great buy as used or demoed.

I think Modwright are best known for their mods & power amps. That's what they do best. The KWI-200 is a good first effort by Dan, though I would (personally) go for the Hegel H300 around the same price point, or step up to a 2nd hand Vitus RI-100. I suspect we'll see a KWI-200SE enter the fray in the future.