Affordable SS that sound like Tubes

I was a 100% vinyl guy for many years. Due to maintenance cost and aggravation I switched to DSD after a lot of research and I have no regrets.

I am looking for suggestions on affordable SS that sounds as good as Tubes.

Here's the rub. My Mid Monos were less than $2,000 brand new and they sound incredible. As does my Pre that costed me less than $1,000.

Integrated suggestions are welcomed.

And I would like to hear from people that had fine tube equipment and switched to fine SS equipment.

And please, no mention of "Tubes have Higher Distortion." LOL

tonydennison08-21-2023 4:57pm

ghdprentice Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,394 posts 08-22-2023 at 12:50am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete After fifty years of pursuing the high end… the first forty with solid state amps.. I will not go back to solid state. I found that tube amps can be incredibly reliable and more importantly musical. When I was working I put about 600 hours a year on my system. That would require retubing about every five years. I now listen a lot more and have replaced four tubes in the last three years, one DOA and three at normal maintenance time.
ghdprentice Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,394 posts 08-22-2023 at 01:04am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @audioman58 Sorry… what are you responding to? I have no idea… I doubt I am alone.
ghdprentice Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,394 posts 08-22-2023 at 01:36am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @audioman58 I get that. I remember hearing great Sansui equipment when I was in college in the 70’s before I discovered / could afford high end equipment. Then over the ensuing fifty years equipment has become better and better. But it is hard to argue because in 1973 I was just too stoned to be sure if it was the equipment or my state of mind.