I have never heard a solid state amp or preamp at any price do sonically what the best vacuum tube units can do. Valves are just better at amplifying and passing the music without stripping away the important nuances. That said, there are plenty of bad tube designs in the world.
Solid state can be very, very, good, even if not at the level of the best valves.
The majority of people I have encountered who claim to favor solid state at any price fit into one of the following categories:
1. They have never experienced a state of the art vacuum tube system or lived with one long term.
2. They have had a bad experience with some inferior tube gear of which there is plenty.
3. They care more about things like convenience and low maintenance than absolute sound quality (e.g. heat, cost, reliability, my kids, my dog, etc...).
When only absolute sound quality is considered, valves are still the best.
sorry but it's true.
Solid state can be very, very, good, even if not at the level of the best valves.
The majority of people I have encountered who claim to favor solid state at any price fit into one of the following categories:
1. They have never experienced a state of the art vacuum tube system or lived with one long term.
2. They have had a bad experience with some inferior tube gear of which there is plenty.
3. They care more about things like convenience and low maintenance than absolute sound quality (e.g. heat, cost, reliability, my kids, my dog, etc...).
When only absolute sound quality is considered, valves are still the best.
sorry but it's true.