Am I done yet? LOL

I am a long-term Valve Pre and Power Amp user, who was introduced to a SS Pre in 2025, which was loaned to be used in the home system. The Hybrid assembly has become very attractive and is incorporated into a new pre-amplifier design being produced for me.

I am a firm believer that experiencing recorded music replays is much more enjoyable as a long-term interest, when there are options to preserve a produced end sound quality, but inject a different ambient into the overall sonic. 

Having different permutations at hand for a system increases the chance that synergy will occur, which is definitely in place in the home system.

The SS experience got me further curious, and a SS Power Amp design I am familiar with was loaned to be used in the home system.

I became sold on the SS Amp Set Up and extended my curiosity, a custom design SS Phonostage has been produced for me and is in the system being used as a full SS Source to Speaker or also a SS/Valve Hybrid.

The full SS and Hybrid systems are both able to make a substantial impression; my olden day's formed prejudices toward SS are as a result of using designs from the current era, completely abandoned.

Regarding a SS Power Amp' my friend who produced for me the SS Phon' had been working on a New Design Power Amp. I was able to experience this Amp's debut on the past weekend. The Amp as part of the debut was compared to the resident SS Power Amp, which is a design very close to my loaned SS Power Amp

The debut SS Power Amp is based on a Class D circuit, which is a circuit I have only heard long time passed.

The debut Amp followed the resident Amp when comparing, and the difference in the presentation was very noticeable and notable. I did something I very rarely do, I asked no questions and pondered for weeks the supplied info before committing to a custom build design. On this occasion, I signed the dotted line immediately and had ordered one to be produced for me, with the caveat that I would supply the chassis.

My instinct is strong in the idea that this Amp might be a real contender, putting a question mark over my being wedded to Valve Power Amps.

As per the earlier suggestion, I strongly encourage an experience of a Class D designs to be on a shortlist.   

If you wanted a new amp, preamp, etc, what would be your budget?  I decided to sort of skip a few steps and ended up buying the Accuphase a48s class A amp and the Accuphase c2300 preamp.  I do not regret it at all!  They match each other perfectly and match my Klipsch forte IV exceedingly well.  

@traudio I am not sure how your Dynaudios sound but if you want an amp with very strong bass check out the Schiit Audio Wotan. Low cost and it is really good but needs more break-in than afforded in the 15-day home trial period.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

The new Schiit Audio Singular DAC is also very good, and it is also a preamp and can be used with your iPhone (and maybe Android now). It is a custom Delta-Sigma design and really shows the DAC expertise at Schiit.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

I owned both Schiit units and they were very good. I sold them to replace the Wotan with a CODA #16 amp and the Singular DAC with the imersiv D-1 DAC. Much more expensive and better. The price is crazy for the replacements, but the 2 Schiit units I mentioned maybe end game for a lot of people. You can also try them at home to decide.

@yyzsantabarbara I've had several Schiit products here. They never end up staying. Good for the money, but not good enough for me. 

@macg19 The phase is adjustable by 1 degree from 0-180 and I have dialed that in. 

@mapman I have. I also have a Rogue DragoN and it's OK, (and for sale) but the BHK 250 is better.

@jwgilbreath Probably around 8K budget. Separates or a top integrated like Accuphase....although I've read they are on the soft and romantic side which wouldn't suit me.