I had an initial investment of about 40€ (just about 50$), with which I bought:
A digital multimeter (with ohm, A, V, hfe and forward drop voltage measurments);
A soldering Iron;
60/40 solder;
a length of wire;
crocodile clips;
and a de-soldering pump.

Then, I cheated a bit- took apart an old computer, an old radio, a few other random electronic devices and kept some switches, wire, jacks and speakers... saved some money XD

I'd prefer a SS power amp in order to keep the design more simple in design and maintenance terms, as well as reducing it's cost and volume.

I'm sure there are a few ss power amp designs that are extremely faithful to the sound produced by the preamp. The idea I put forward would still allow for the overdriving of a tube (or possibly 2) to produce the warm harmonics one gets from tubes.

Inaugurating this discussion board, and bringing an idea for a pre-amp...

I was considering powering a tube with a tube emulator... The Fetzer valve (runoffgroove.com) as part of a solid-state pre-amp which then powers a tube preamp, which finally leads to a transparent as possible SS power amp and finally the speaker.

Has this been tried before? Does it sound viable?