[Amps] Elmer me on high power solid state amplifier design?

[Dan Levin]

I have (once again) become enamored with the idea of designing (and building, I hope) a solid state amplifier for 160 - 10 meter use. 

Ideally, this amplifier would deliver 1500 watts output in contest use with 100 watts or less drive, produce output that is as spectrally clean as a tube amp, and cost less than an auto-tune tube amp by quite a bit. 

Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about solid state design :-)   

I've read a few of the Motorola app notes written by Helge Granberg, and looked at a few designs that use MRF-150's and SC2879's on various web sites.  I am aware of the issues of output harmonic filtering, lightening protection, SWR protection, etc. – none of that has discouraged me yet ☺

I have a bunch of (what I am sure are) fairly simple (and likely, in some cases, fairly dumb) questions - but no one to ask them of. 

If you would be willing to chat with me a bit (by email) on this subject, please let me know.  I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks, and best Happy New Year to all, 

                                    ***dan, K6IF