@whitestix This new experience being had and the impression it is making is a great information to spread more broadly.
I have had similar experiences with SS equipment that has been acquired at very reasonable monies that when used in a comparison session, have shown £20K 211 Valve Power Amplification and £45K SS Power Amplification, that their designs have not got much on board to generate a different impression for their End Sound produced and overall sound quality to show the cheaper design model is in need.
In the durations of listening as a A/B/C comparison, each was able to create a very good impression, but none was outstanding over the other. Each did have their own sonic trait, but sonic traits recognised were not enough to create a preference for a particular model.
Each were extremely satisfying as a Producer of recorded music.
I have recently become aware of the DarTZeel Clones and took my inquiries further to those who look for these opportunities to get great performance at fair than fair monies.
I have learnt a little but not got it verified as of yet.
It seems the Company was founded nearly 25 Yeas ago and as a result of their place in the Market, went on to support designs by producing White Papers, which seems to have been a little too informative, as the Chinese are said to have made easy work deciphering what was meant to be the Company IP and obscurity of the information being supplied.
My friend strongly suggests that there are DarTZeel Clones that are correct in all ways for component values in the circuits and topology for the circuit.
Where there is a difference will most likely be in the quality of the Components being used. This as a difference does not mean a failure in the sonic produced by the clone. The tolerances for the components used in the DarTZeel and Clone Versions will certainly be different. Again this should not detract from End Sound quality of an Amp.
When my Phonostage was being built, the channels were being toyed with in relation to component types and at a later time component Values. Changing component types had the least impact on the impression made by the End Sound Produced. Changing Component Values had the most impact on how a End Sound was perceived as having changed.
The DarTZeel Clone really does sound worthwhile as a Amp' to be investigated.
I am myself currently trialling SS Amp's vs my owned Valve Power Amp's and I also have a SS Phon' being built for me, along with a Pre Amp that has a SS Channel and 2x Valve Type Channels.
It does look like SS is making a big impact on me after nearly 30 years of not accepting SS Power Amp's into the home system.