I too was a SS guy for decades. Then a buddy brought over a tube integrated for me to try. I knew in the first few seconds that the sonics killed my Yamaha A-S3000 integrated. I thought the Yamaha was the last amp I was ever going to buy.
The amount you need to spend on a tube amp is determined by how demanding your speakers are. If your speakers are really efficient you can do very well with a low power tube amp which are more affordable than higher powered amps.
I bought my speakers after a demo because I loved how they sounded. I didn’t think too closely about efficient and less efficient speakers. After hearing the tube amp in my rig, I realized that if I wanted my speakers to reach their potential using a tube amp, I needed a ton of power because they are very inefficient. I thought my new PrimaLuna EVO400 power amp would have sufficient power but after several months of listening and listening to another system with Magico speakers, I knew my speakers still didn’t have enough power driving them. I contacted an expert who recommended NAT Audio Generator 805 mono blocks. My speakers are very happy now and so am I!
You won’t regret the switch to tubes!
Solid state to tube
I have been a solid state guy since my start in this hobby. Over the years I have built a few systems and have used mainly older YBA seperates pre and power for my front end.
I also have a pair of musetex MT101 mono blocks from Meitner audio which I use as well.
My speakers are reference 3a lintegre
I am thinking of moving to a all tube system
. However I have little experience
I have looked at Quick Silver and a small boutique builder called Will Vincent. Have not heard anything yet. I thought I might inquire here first for any suggestions from tube savvy members