Is there anyone who came back from tubes to SS?

In answer to your initial question, I "sort of" have returned to solid state. I originally used a Krell KSA 80 on my Duntech Princess speakers, replacing that with ARC M300 hybrids and eventually Jadis JA80s. I was disappointed with the deep bass from the JA80s on the Duntechs, so I sold the speakers and am now using a 4 piece biamped system, with my Jadis on the top and solid state (Meitners) on the bottom, below 200hz. The only tube amps I've heard that can match solid state in the deepest bass (big VTLs, ARC Ref 300s, CAT JL-1) are way too big and expensive for my system. However, I do miss the Jadis in the mid-bass, as I feel they were superb in that area; I feel most tube amps are better than ss in that area. I can't alter the crossover frequency in this system, but if I could I'd go for 60 hz or below for the ss, above that for tubes. I'm still looking for a tubed amp that can replace the Meitners, but so far no reasonable contenders.

In addition, as my JP80 is off for repairs, I'm borrowing a Klyne ss preamp (6 in the model number?), which is pretty good for a $2200 preamp with phono stage. However, while it has better deep bass extension, it lacks the bloom, soundstaging and dynamics of the (admittedly ar more expensive) Jadis unit. Having listened for almost two weeks, I'm quite certain I would not be willing to give up tubes in the preamp.

As you asked, my principal listening is to classical music of all kinds, with a preference for the large scale romantic works, but I also do a lot of listening to late 60's and early 70's rock and folk. I might lean more to solid state with different tastes in music, perhaps.

Well right now I have a tube preamp,Conrad Johnson Premier 3,with a Conrad johnson MF-200 S.S. MOSFET power amp.I've been bouncing back and forth between S.S.and tube power.The best combination I had was Tubes on top,Conrad Johnson MV-75a with a Sonographe on the bottom,with the Premier 3 preamp.I'm working on getting back the MV-75a so that I can put it on the mids and highs and use the CJ MOSFET on the bottom,to my opinion this is my ideal sound and getiing the best of both types of sound.I have B&W 802 series 3 speakers.

Used to own a Melos tube amp, before that an ARC D115. Now I like the Jeff Rowland that I own a lot more. Why, the tube amps give off an enormous amount of heat, and in a small room this is a drag. Plus you never really know how the tubes are holding up, where are they in their life cycle?
SS is more reliable and if you have the right amp better sounding IMHO.
Now in pre-amps that's a whole diff story, I say tube all the way.

Back to original question. I moved fm tubes (Jadis) to ss (DNM), back to tubes (OTL -- Audio Exclusive), to my current ss (Symphonic Line Kraft).

I listen mostly to classical, some blues, rock, & jazz added.

Sound character-wise, I look for tube or "tube-like" sound i.e. the thermionic euphonics. My switches were dictated by reliability problems (OTL, Jadis), need for more power (DNM), and to avoid a slight roll-off at the end of the spectrum that my old tubes had. In fact, my present set-up, although wide-bandwidth, does retain a tinge of tube-like euphonics to my ears...

Other than the high cost of good high output tube designs, I don't think you have anything to worry about with contemporary tube designs!

I *think* you'll be musically happier with vtls/Rogues than with your Bryston -- an excellent machine in its own right. After all you're ready to switch!!!

Cheers & enjoy!

I too switched because of reliability problems[Cary,Wolcott] and on the advice of a Lamm listener I switched to Aloia. Tube replacement constant biasing took away from listening