Have you given Nelson Pass's earlier Aleph series any thought? That would be my go to amp (in your budget range) if I wanted to ditch SET's.
And speaking of the man, I just read about his upcoming XS series. He had special transistors made for him at a cost way, way into the 6 figures. He describes them as SIT's. The 300 watter is 85k and to bring you back from sticker shock, the 150 watter is "only" 65k.
I "imagine" they would be a step(s) closer but boy what a cost. Hopefully some trickle down tech will come from it.
And speaking of the man, I just read about his upcoming XS series. He had special transistors made for him at a cost way, way into the 6 figures. He describes them as SIT's. The 300 watter is 85k and to bring you back from sticker shock, the 150 watter is "only" 65k.
I "imagine" they would be a step(s) closer but boy what a cost. Hopefully some trickle down tech will come from it.