Golden Tube amps

Hard to go wrong with a McIntosh MC240 or MC225; both around 1000 to 2000 depending on condition. Runners closer to a grand to 1500; pretty ones closer to 2000. Great amps with some minor upgrades to the components.

For the record and to correct the comment made in the first post

"Probably a lovely euphonic sound more than neutral, linear."

The SE40 is not overly euphonic nor does it sound particularly "tube-y". It is very neutral, especially in the midrange. It's single ended. Some of the best midrange reproduction, solid state or tube, that I've ever heard. So clean, it will embarass many amps as veiled and muddy. It just sounds good, not good for the price or good for an entry level tube amp.

Most people who say bad things about the SE40 are people who have never owned or heard it. It's just plain careless and useless.

Yes, reliability is a concern, but it depends. I've owned four SE40's over the years. Three were perfect, one had some problems, but nothing any competent tech or DIYer can't fix.

Another useability concern is that it is somewhat of a pain to bias. It has to be turned over and the pots are too sensitive and requires use of long plastic screwdrivers.

It also runs very hot. Great space heater for winter. Tube life is not as long as some, need replacing every two years or so.

All in all, the SE40 is a great amp, underrated, sometimes maligned, but loved by those in the know.

Viggen
Another words we are talking Chinese made gear.I almost bought a new se40 when still made.But Thanks God the people at Audio Outlet convinced me to get A conrad Johnson MV-55
instead.Soon after I bought my MV-55 GTA went under.I guess Audio Outlet knew inside information.

Yioryos: "I guess Audio Outlet knew inside information."

...or they simply advised their customers to stay away from equipment of marginal reliability.

Zosima: "Another useability concern is that it is somewhat of a pain to bias. It has to be turned over and the pots are too sensitive and requires use of long plastic screwdrivers."

Does that ever sound like my Chinese-built New Generation poweramps (see My System). First disconnect them, get a couple towels for padding, remove the bottom covers, and reconnect the speaker cable. Each of the 8 pots in my 2 amps seem to have different friction, and they all have FAR too much range, so it's too much, then not enough, then too much...

Their good points? They were quite inexpensive, they're attractive, they're easy to work on (to upgrade), they have a triode switch, and they sound quite nice. I've replaced all the HV PS 'lytic caps with bypassed Solen 'propylenes, replaced the coupling caps with NorthCreek Harmony 'propylenes, and replaced the cathode-ground (IIRC) resistors with Mills NI 12W. wirewounds. Pics are at http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=278066578 .
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Yes, I should have clarified that I've not spent time listening to the SE-40. I did have substantial reliabillity problems with my SE-100 and also read many others reliability complaints about this firms products. It could be that if you got a good one, it lasts a long time, I have no idea.