Switching to solid state amp?

One of the very best low-power solid state amps available can be built for well under $1000, See: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=138229.0

If you are not comfortable slinging solder and drilling faceplates you can hire a builder; Radu Tarta of CT builds a lot of SE tube amps yet is impressed with this little SS build. His site is https://simplepleasuretubeamps.wordpress.com/

I have two and they are absolutely amazing; just as enjoyable as my old Audio Note Kit One 300B amp.

Speaking in very general terms, I have found that tubes often have a "rightness" in the treble that I often, but not always have found lacking in solid state. I would almost call it a "phasey" character that keeps cymbal taps and bells from sounding clear and open. In my experience single ended and class A push pull amps often do not suffer this.  Ralph, maybe you could expand on this as your amps seem to excel in this area. 

Bruce

After a bunch of years of tube, I gulped and bought a Hegel H160. First solid state ever other than a few Rega that were place holders. 

I like it. A lot. My phono is still tube, but the sound is shimmery and clear. 

You our also may be interested in an LSA Statement hybrid dual-mono integrated. Beautiful sound. 

I second Lak’s suggestion above to look at Plinius. I have an SA-103 in the same rack with a VAC 300.1a, switching back and forth depending on mood. The Plinius more than holds its own. It does not have quite the HF extension and sparkle of the VAC (that’s a high bar), but it delivers well enough in those areas and really nails the mids and bass. A big plus, to my mind, is the ability to switch between Class A and Class A/B with a button on the front. You can leave it idling in A/B with little power draw, then flip it to Class A for serious listening. Great for the hot summer months, and to be a little greener than Class A typically allows, though it does raise the noise floor somewhat. I run it with a VAC Phi Beta preamp or a Bent AVC passive. Works greater with both, though I’ve taken to using the Bent more often with this amp.

I bought my SA-103 used and then had it upgraded by Vince Galbo, who is the US warranty tech for Plinius and used to be the importer. This brings a lot more refinement and extension to its already-excellent sound. If you look around you can generally get a used 103 for $5K or so; add the Galbo upgrades for around $1,500, and you have a deeply satisfying SS amp with power, grace, and versatility at a very nice price.

I should add that I have a couple other tube-based systems running, too, one built around a SET 2A3 amp and the other a push-pull EL84. Even in the face of this very tubey competition, the Plinius is a highly enjoyable amp in its system, providing the depth and palpability I love about tubes.

For about 17 years I was basically using tube Manley Stingray. They drive very well Thiel CS3.6 speakers with a  natural and open overall performance. Since a few years ago, I have two more amps, which are solid state, but both give tube-like soft sound. A moderate Arcam A90, a good deal  for the price, and Mcintosh MA5200 with Thiel CS6 speakers. So far, I am quite satisfied with Mcintosh  sound. It is notably more clean than that of Stingray, with slightly less intensive but good natural base, the soundstage is I think also better (it sounds perhaps less "aggressive" than Audio Research tube amps).

I would not accept such point of view, say 5 year ago though...