Help What Say You - Amp choices

Either cast a wider net searhing for something that blows you away,which I think would be doubtful with the level you are looking at. Or make your choice on "pride of ownership", which unit would you like to have even if you were just walking by it and not listening at the time. What makes you smile. May not make a whole lot of sense, but that comes into the equation at times.

I might add that if you are equally happy with all three amps, the solid state one will be less hassel to deal with for sure. You can leave it on all the time and it will always be warm and ready when you want to listen and in my opinion will have more authority in the bass with better dynamics. Tubes are nice, I've owned a lot, but for me the convenience as well as superior dynamics of good solid state makes it the better choice.

You might have something there. Tube Preamp, Solid State power amp, muscle and finess all at once, and a quality brand name (like McIntosh) to boot. Makes a lot of sense.

Hawk28, seeing your responses.. I will offer my bottom line opinion specifically on the amps you are seeking.. Price for you Used, the rogues and mcCormack are better buys. However Tubes vs. solid state is not so much an issue here as to be quite honest after owning the rogues vs. other tubes its much more solid state like in its presentation. So its not bad just saying its not that different if your looking for true "tube" sound than other choices are going to be leaning more that way.. All this being said, Value, and closest to tube sound in my opinion holding true to the qualities seeked with better overal future cash out if necessary, Go mcintosh, its basically like wilson speakers, regardless if it’s the best or not for the money it’s a safe bet for other reasons especially if it gets the job done for you sonically which it seems too, and yes replacing the tubes for similar sound out of the amps you are considering are now in my opinion not necessary, or try some other tube amps that are much more of the tube magic in the first place. I have owned amps from all 3 listed by the way.     

The biggest difference, between tube amps that sound somewhat Solid state like (and, the Rogues are one of many that fit here) should be heard in mid-range reproduction quality.

If you can't hear a difference "here" between the contenders, and all have bass/treble reproduction that fits your requirements...I would go with one of the solid state contenders.

I made my switch from solid state to tubes, only because I was never "totally happy" with SS midrange reproduction, from any amps I had owned over the years. The ones without grain, sounded somewhat flat in soundstage, and the non-flats where forward sounding, with just enough grain to bother...tubes fixed all that for me.

Other than that...I'm a solid state guy (dressed up in tube clothing).

Dave