Anything SS sounds better than D'Agostino ?

jbrrp1, I see. Great brand indeed. Very special sound.
No one really talks about either Audionet or FM Acoustics. I would be interested to hear the impressions, especially regarding FM Acoustics.
In any case, there are probably 10 or so brands at the very top level to choose from, including a few Swiss, Danish Gryphon and Vitus, German Audionet perhaps, American D'Agostino and Boulder. Good for us.

I have to chime in here, years ago I upgraded from Krell KAV 250a amp
to The Chord SPM-1200E. The audio character of my system became so much more musical and enjoyable. 

The amp  was purchased  to drive the B&W 80ds (2010 version). Later  I  replaced the Krell KRC-3 preamp with a Balanced Audio Technology VK 32 SE. 
I am very happy!

Go out and audition a Chord Ultima 5 Stereo Amp!  You will not regret it!

If you have heard D’Ag gear, it is good, but it is also one of the products that is designed for the a’phile who uses his eyes possibly more than his ears alone.

 

Price aside, I wouldn’t consider the gear based on the looks. It looks ugly to me. I have no idea how it sounds like though.

nothing can come close to a (insert ANY) amp is a BS statement.

when you hit the stratosphere it‘s a matter of choice..

D'Agostino amps are some of the best equipment out there.  Regardless of whether they are solid state or tube.  

To say that tube amps are best is not correct.  To say that solid state amps are best is not correct either.  

A great tube amp is just that, same for a great solid state amp.

Basically a great amp for your speakers regardless of solid state or tube is the issue.  

Just like the classic judgement in Paris in the 70s for wine.  hide the equipment and play recordings.  See if people  really can tell if it is tube or solid state.  and also judge if one is better than the other.  

if it sounds great.  that's it.

enjoy