Switching to solid state amp?


I have had tube amps for the past 20+ years and have totally enjoyed their sound in my system.  I am thinking of trying a solid state amp.  Pass Labs comes to mind but would be open to anyone who made the switch, was happy and what brand worked for you.  Btw I will still be using a tube preamp.  Who has been happy with the switch?

bobheinatz
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...  
A couple of thoughts:
SS amps have some realistic advantages. 
None are created equally and specifications are really no indicator of sound quality or sound characteristics. Much of the time the Loudspeakers that are mated with a particular amplifier are the most important consideration. Ask yourself why is that happening? 
Begin with a thorough examination of your speakers specifications with as much information that you can garner.
Look for a SS amplifier that is less complex than more. Simple well executed single ended designs are generally advantageous and less costly.
Sometimes a loudspeaker will sound so much better with one particular amplifier than anything else, magic.
I would finally recommend that you consider contacting your loudspeaker manufacturer and inquire about the amplifier(s) that they use to great effect.
Good luck!
Has anyone paired Quicksilver preamp with a solid state amp, somewhere in the $2k range? I'm curious about tubes, but am suspecting the the crisp control from SS will be important.