First Tube Amp


I have been listening to a 90's SS amp(200 wpc @ 8ohms) for 25 years and thought I would finally give a tube amp a try.

I ordered a $500-800 chinese push pull(40 wpc) integrated tube amp, with 4 El34 tubes, and  2 12AX7, and 2 12AU7 tubes. 

I figured this would introduce me to the so-called "tube-sound", perhaps an exaggerated version, that I have been reading about on this forum, then after a week of exposure, most likely return it for a full refund and decide if I want to go down the hole further with more prestigious versions.

To my surprise, I am floored by the quality of sound it produces. I wasn't expecting this at all. Initially, I thought it had some distortion of the high frequencies and a bloated low end but after 75 hours of break-in this essentially disappeared. The bass is thunderous, contrary to the limited reviews on the internet. The quiet passages are dead silent. I am hearing very different interpretations of CD's that I have listened to for years(classical) on my SS amp. Particularly when single instruments are played the sound is unbelievably sweet. Pizzicato is more forward. Part of this new experience I owe to the newly acquired speakers, which have opened up a sensitivity to recordings that I have not known to exist - I hear musician movements and breaths in the orchestra at 98.82dB 2.83V@1m .

I am struggling with returning this amp, in the midst of a paradigm shift: chinese junk has become on par with high end, how can it get better than this? What would other types of tube amps of better quality offer? How would other types of tubes("rolling") sound. How would a SET amp sound different(a 300b SET). A PL(also chinese made) with an array of tunes versus some of the boutique models that have half as many tubes?

Thanks for your help.




recluse
If you wanted to stick to an integrated you could try a Cary SLI-80 or 300SEi both are excellent.  With either amp you can tube roll if you like.

CHuck 
How about a nicely restored Dynaco Stereo 70? A classic PP design using pairs of EL34's, 5AR4 rectifier and a pair of 7199's. And GOOD iron! Probably the most popular tube amp ever (500,000 made!). I own two: a new input board version and a full-custom version with a separate power supply chassis. Outstanding amplifiers!
You made a good choice buying a less-expensive amp to start.  Let your ears grow into it and then you'll be in a better position to decide on whether you want to stay with tubes or not.  Tubes are not a panacea for the audiophile.  Like with vinyl, the more obsessive are always living in a constant state of anxiety of whether they should roll the tubes, whether a tube is deteriorating, etc.  These are not concerns with SS.  Less choices = less anxiety for some.  Also, at least with my amp, it takes almost an hour to sound its best.  Sometimes I wish I just had a SS amp  & CD player I could leave on all the time and still have optimum sound. 
An $800 Chinese made tube integrated amplifier is not necessarily considered cheap and should sound good. The main issue with the amps in that price range is not their sound quality but their consistency in quality. If yours sounds good and is quiet with such high efficiency speakers, then you have a "good" one. Enjoy it and if you want even better sound, look into NOS EL34 or 12AX/U7 tubes. Plenty of options depending on your budget.