Affordable SS that sound like Tubes

Your claim express a generalization and prejudice not clear thinking...

First :

All productions in amplifier from Sansui extend 67 years with very different period of production...Only a false reasonning  will conflate all these years of production  as the same mediocre  quality...

Second : All there is to do in an amplifier is not about materials but also design and the design GOAL ...The question of the OP was about the possible existence at affordable price  of an  S.S. sounding as tube... Sansui was one of the few companies which tried to emulate tube amplification with S.S. design and this was done  OFFICIALLY and succeeded in a public contest for all ears to listen  with their top tube tube amplifier beside their S.S. model IN PUBLIC ... Is this question of the OP  a true sincere question or just a trolling line ? I dont know but i answered to it specifically ...

Third : i just tried to upgrade my AKG K340 headphone by replacing my Sansui alpha by one of the most acclaimed amplifier in the last decade in the world, no negative reviews for this tube amplifier ... It takes few minutes of listenings to keep the Sansui with his headphone out over a dedicated amplification one of the most acclaimed one ...

There is not even a contest possible on any acoustic factor, not ONE...Dynamic. transients, timbre, holography , soundstage , out of the head projection impression or reproduction of recording acoustic etc

Four :

Why ?

Because ignorant with prejudices in audio , fetichists of their contemporary  brand ignore SYNERGY they ignore that synergy matter, even over the exact  decade date  of the design production they ignore not only Vintage past flagships which for the best of them are not far off the most advanced one of today, and if we take into account synergy may rival them and even beat them completely as in my experience comparing tube of today with S.S. design of the past  24 hours ago ...

Instead of posting 3 lines prejudicial posts inform yourself...😁

The best headphone i ever tried compete with the highest top headphone of today and was designed 45 years ago... I will not explain why here...

I will not speak about sound quality/ price ratio because it has nothing to do with the question : is some TOP Sansui good amplification ?

In japan these  Sansui alpha amplifier are described are TOP amplification and sold at very high price in the used market... They are a steal for those who are not brainwashed consumers of audio reviews where they sell anything new as the best ever especially if it cost 20,000 bucks... This top Sansui can be bought few thousands... i bought mine a more affordable one with the same basic design 300 bucks... I smile when you sleep paying big money for your fetish of today ... And i dont need a  tube amplification ... My Sansui sound more tube like with details and fluidity than anything i heard including the last tube amp i bought yesterday and return in the same day ...SYNERGY MATTER... It is second most important factor in audio AFTER ACOUSTIC... Not price tag nor audio reviews articles...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa2Y95eQjNA&list=PLnQJF3Qi_4_A5BFgnV1w5wNNfnks3u0oL&index=55&t=618s

Is a Pass XA-25 affordable? I use one alternated (mood swings) with a tube amp. Also, Sansui amps were at best mediocre back in the day, and compared to even the least expensive integrated these days a comparison is laughable.

What about the Kinki Studio Choco integrated? Haven’t yet heard it myself, but it’s often reviewed to have a SET amp richness and nuance while still maintaining authority and clarity. Extremely well built for the price - great QC:

https://www.kinki-studio.com/copy-of-home

https://youtu.be/rSJTNrbA-uw

I have Quicksilver Mid Monos and Love them. Can't see ever selling them. I use a Conrad Johnson LS17 Preamp with them. I also use a Forte Class A SS amp ( Nelson Pass Design) in a second system and although  it doesn't sound like tubes, I could easily live with it. Bought it for a song.

Not looking to hijack this thread but is there any preamp worth considering as an upgrade to my CJ LS17 that mates well with the Mid Monos. Just Asking

@tonydennison 

What if you rephrase your original post?

When you look at my virtual system, what can I do, short of buying a tube power amplifier, to get more of a tube like musical experience?  My budget for such a change is $xxxx.

Also, rather than “as good as tubes”, maybe you could let us know what specific audio characteristics would constitute “as good as tubes”.  I mention all of this because there are probably many aspects of your system that could be upgraded to move you closer to your goal.  My digital was greatly improved with changes in streamer and DAC.  I am a believer in hybrid systems and for me it is a hybrid integrated amplifier.