Looking for integrated solid state amp for daily usage


I love the sound of my tube amps, but I need an amp powered on all day every day (like 16 hours per day) for my nearfield desktop setup with JBL 4309 speakers (using directstream mk1 dac).

I have tried a Schiit Aegir and a Schiit Ragnarok, but didn’t like either compared to my cheap tube amp and expensive tube amp. They just seemed boring and dead to me.

So I’m looking for suggestions on a beautiful sounding solid state integrated amp that sounds big and engaging as much like a tube amp as possible, if one even exists. I don’t want a tube preamp with a solid state amp.

I listen to a lot of music types from classical to jazz to classic rock.

I’d like to keep the price under $3k if possible, used is great. I’ve heard Accuphase and Luxman are really good, but price seems to be more than $5k for those.

retroactiv

On the used market, see if you can find an Audionet SAM G2 for $3K. They typically pop up a little higher, but healthy negotiations go a long way. Another one to consider is the Margules ACRH-3 (or 4 if you are lucky). It is an integrated amp with a tube input buffer stage and solid state output stage. These guys sound very big and quite tubey in engaging ways. 

Consider a pre-owned Simaudio 600i.  They usually go for around $4K, so perhaps a little above your budget.  I would not consider it to be "tube like", but it's very neutral, detailed, and dynamic.  I have mine in a second system paired with Harbeth P3ESR speakers and could easily live with it as a main system if circumstances forced me to liquidate some of my better gear.

Cary Audio  AIOS.  It has a streamer built in.

Sounds great and in the price range.

App lets you use your phone for everything.