BAT vk-90 vs audio research 6se

Anyone have familiarity with both of these preamps?

On the surface they seem very similar by using eight tubes, ie mostly 6h30. And they cost about the same, ie around 15,000. Arguably audio research is prettier but that's hardly a good reason to buy it.

I did read that audio research tends to sound like solid state because I guess it handles the higher and lower range of frequencies better which is similar to solid state.  But if you're buying a preamp with eight tubes seems it really shouldn't sound more like a solid state otherwise what's the point.