As a hardcore tube fan, I have been impressed by only two SS designs: the 47 Labs Gaincard, and the Lavardin amps. These two SS designs are, I think, as close as transistors can get to the sound of tubes--with just little bit of the ease, liquidity, ambiance, and magic missing. Thus I DO look back when I hear 47 Labs and Lavardin... They make me think of selling my VAIC monoblocs in an effort to economize on space, and make my life a little easier. But then I always stick to the tubes... despite. To generalize, tubes always seem to go better with vinyl, and SS always seems to go better with digital: thus it makes sense to have two dedicated systems. That way you are not simply looking back or ahead, but from side to side, and that is a very fortunate situation.
