WEEZ, I took your advice. You said try some EL34s. Today I bought a pair of new Manley Snappers with EL34s! I am 40yo and in love like I was 13.
They are much more than I ever expected in an upgrade amp within my budget. Review coming, but holy gonads, Batman. Power and finesse and resolution of the tiniest sounds, like feet shuffling on stage, wild stuff like that. They're not Stereophile kind of transparent, they do have a touch of fire, like they mean business on everything they play. Even tinkly little waif music sounds like, "Mister, you better listen or I will KICK YOUR ASS!" And if you feed it some Tchaikovsky, Basie or even Chris Daughtry you better bring the tissue because soon you will be crying or laughing. I always thought I needed therapy, now I can get it at the puch of a button! The hard part is standing up and getting on with my life after an hour in "the electric chair."
I have no preamp now, just SB into the amps with anticable ICs. The Grover ICs were even more detailed than the anticable, so I can't imagine what that will sound like. My little girl wants her record player and "Tina the Ballerina" music back, so I will need a preamp soon for switching and VC.
It has been a giant whirlpool black hole of audio this past week. Thanks to everyone that helped make this decision so much fun. I met a lot of new friends and discovered 1st hand the intense excitement and joy this hobby has to offer.
Rich