Which is the most tubelike solid state amp around

2nd the Clayton.Might add the Symphonic RG-1 and a few of the Bedini models.

The "tube like" qualities that I particularly like are liquidity (clarity and sudtlety without an edge) and and an open sound. The valve that I like the most is the 45 which with it's mighty 1.5 to 2.0 watts would not fulfil my requirements here.
Robert Harley's review of the Pass labs read interestingly but I obviously will need to somehow hear it ,as well as some of the other very helpful suggestions above.
Thanks again and please keep the thoughts coming.

FWIW I am running 3.6 Maggies with MC-501s and a C220 preamp. The sound is magic to me.

Mrtennis
Victor told me once he couldn't tell much difference from their entry level preamp to their more expensive preamp too, both or either, would satisfy him.

I've heard the Mc252, 402, 501s and 602. None of these came across to me as sounding like anything other than SS. Very nice SS but not tube oriented. The decays weren't that of tubes, nor did it possess the richness and body tubes field as a rule. To MCs credit, if I had panel speakers I could easily live with that MC 602. Very easily indeed.

Personally, I'd place the VK500 w/BAT Pk above the MC402 & under the MC602. The 501s were more lively and more SS'y.

Maybe a mccormack dna-1;I had a pair of these as monoblocks driving merlin 4b+'s and dunlavy scIII's;very tubelike in the mid frequency range;also odyssey's mono extreme se's fit the bill as well.
Better yet a moscode 401hr or the new 402;30 day in home trial as well.