Pani,
I like tube gear myself. The better examples, to me, are very dynamic and fast sounding, and are particularly good at getting subtle differences in dynamic changes; they don't "fake" dynamics or speed by having an artificially hard "edge" to the initial attack of notes that is the case with some solid state amplification (and the ones that lack that edge actually sound more dead than most tube gear).
I am not familiar with the WAVAC phonostage. At that kind of price level, I would really have to hear it in my own system (I don't like flipping gear, so I would not buy something even if I can get most of the money back by reselling it if it doesn't work in my system).
I have heard the 47 Labs phonostage, and like their DACs and other electronics, it has a very lively sound that I like. I can see how you would be concerned with preserving that sort of sound while gaining the attributes of better tube phonostages (big, enveloping soundstage; more harmonically dense and saturated sound; less brittleness).
As someone suggested, the Zanden 1300 would also be a good candidate too (also fun playing with the different equalization curves). I like Zanden's much cheaper solid state phonostage too. I also like the Viva Fono that I own and it should be well under your $10,000 cap if bought used (16,000 Euros new).
The most energetic and dynamic phonostage I have ever heard, which was also terrific in all other respects, is the Lyra Connoisseur. It would be the one solid state phonostage that I would take over the better tube gear. Unfortunately, it hasn't been made in quite a while but is still probably well north of $10,000 even as a used item. Also, used solid state gear is often MUCH harder to repair and find parts for, which raises the risk of buying something like the Lyra.
Good luck in your search.
I like tube gear myself. The better examples, to me, are very dynamic and fast sounding, and are particularly good at getting subtle differences in dynamic changes; they don't "fake" dynamics or speed by having an artificially hard "edge" to the initial attack of notes that is the case with some solid state amplification (and the ones that lack that edge actually sound more dead than most tube gear).
I am not familiar with the WAVAC phonostage. At that kind of price level, I would really have to hear it in my own system (I don't like flipping gear, so I would not buy something even if I can get most of the money back by reselling it if it doesn't work in my system).
I have heard the 47 Labs phonostage, and like their DACs and other electronics, it has a very lively sound that I like. I can see how you would be concerned with preserving that sort of sound while gaining the attributes of better tube phonostages (big, enveloping soundstage; more harmonically dense and saturated sound; less brittleness).
As someone suggested, the Zanden 1300 would also be a good candidate too (also fun playing with the different equalization curves). I like Zanden's much cheaper solid state phonostage too. I also like the Viva Fono that I own and it should be well under your $10,000 cap if bought used (16,000 Euros new).
The most energetic and dynamic phonostage I have ever heard, which was also terrific in all other respects, is the Lyra Connoisseur. It would be the one solid state phonostage that I would take over the better tube gear. Unfortunately, it hasn't been made in quite a while but is still probably well north of $10,000 even as a used item. Also, used solid state gear is often MUCH harder to repair and find parts for, which raises the risk of buying something like the Lyra.
Good luck in your search.