I really don't think tubes are the pain that you make then sound like. My tubes amps sound so glllloooorrrrriously good that I simply don't worry about "how much better" they could sound. I've not been compelled to hunt for NOS tubes and even so, I'm a JJ tube fan--they sound close to the best NOS tubes, are very affordable, and readily available. The only bummer about tubes is waiting ten or fifteen minutes for them to warm up a little--but even that isn't such a big deal as I have incorporated it into my listening routine. Waiting for the tubes to warm is a great time to clean records, check VTF, or pur yourself a beer ;) Take it from me, my generation isn't supposed to have any patience ;)
But at any rate, check out the LFD Mistral integrateds. Tubes are tubes and no SS will sounds like them, and although I have not auditioned these in person, I have it on good authority from opinions I trust that these are fairly "tube-like" SS amps. They're also quite affordable, available with two different power amp sections, and either internal or external optional phono stage if you wish.
Good luck!
But at any rate, check out the LFD Mistral integrateds. Tubes are tubes and no SS will sounds like them, and although I have not auditioned these in person, I have it on good authority from opinions I trust that these are fairly "tube-like" SS amps. They're also quite affordable, available with two different power amp sections, and either internal or external optional phono stage if you wish.
Good luck!