Affordable SS that sound like Tubes

Interesting that you mention his Mac mini.  When Op states that he use to be 100% vinyl, but is now fully digital, but likely relies on a computer for streaming.. something is wrong with my understanding of the situation.

@vonhelmholtz  No, I think you have a perfect understanding of the situation. 

@panzrwagn The MA 252 looks very promising. And used for $2,100.

This is doable just to buy it to demo. I will

read up on it and maybe give it an audition.

Thanx

T

Tubes don’t make it better ,you need to spend $3k used and up 

for say a 25wpc class A pass Labs  which is more power then it sounds .

it here is No good tube amps at $3k . Quality tube amps cost $$. No getting around it . Any quality tube amp has good transformers and chokes like Lundahl, Hashimoto,Tango for example. are C core transformers ,look at all Quality amplifiers , you will not find any Torroidal transformers in a high quality tube amp , Ayon, VAC , CJ, AR ,Luxman, Audio Valve,Jadis and  many more look at custom tube builders Like Radu Tarta, or Thomas Meyer, my point is Audiophile quality products cost $$.

I second the McIntosh MA252. I have mine sitting next to a Rogue Audio tube amp because I like to go back and forth between the two and sometimes I couldn’t tell you which is which depending on the music. I switched out the input tubes with Mullards and that seems to have made the difference. The only bad part is that the McIntosh is easily punchier in the bass and dynamics so sometimes my tube amp doesn’t look so hot. Yes it’s $4500 but it has a bunch of cool features for the price and 160wpc rated drives my Maggie’s easily. I’d suggest you audition one if you can swing $4500. 

Any Pass amp, Any Parasound amp designed by John Curl, the Atma-sphere class D amps.