My use of tubes are seasonal. I use an Audio Research VT100 (tubed) in the winter when I'm paying for heat in the room anyways. In the summer I switch to an Audio Research D400 SS amp. I much prefer the tubes, AR does have a sort of "house Sound" that makes them similar, on the upper panels of my Infinity IRS Gamma's, but my environmental self doesn't let me heat a room with 500 watts of electricity from the amp and then remove the heat from the room with 1000 watts of A/C. It makes a good reason to looking forward to the cool weather and shorter days!
Switching to solid state amp?
I have had tube amps for the past 20+ years and have totally enjoyed their sound in my system. I am thinking of trying a solid state amp. Pass Labs comes to mind but would be open to anyone who made the switch, was happy and what brand worked for you. Btw I will still be using a tube preamp. Who has been happy with the switch?