Tubes becoming hard to get?

@fsonicsmith  - This whole site if for trolling obviously. Of course there are choices - tubes sound good on good amps as does solid state, "Design issue" is pretty self explanatory - keep the layout and components inside the box from creating noise and distortion. A good design with well executed build quality is most important versus the technology. Also, you should learn how to spell, "maroon".

Although I only play records I've been collecting for 40+ years, I can understand how digital may sound as good or better for some recordings, especially some SACDs with excellent transports/DACs/power supplies. If I was starting out with no records or equipment today, I would probably stream as high a resolution as I could get since the convenience factor is so advantageous.

Just like belt vs. direct drive, and analogue vs. digital, there is no such thing as one technology is better than the other.

Hey @jerryg123  - maybe you just haven't tried a good enough SS amp.

@fsonicsmith - are you really saying any tube amp is better than any solid state amp? Any direct drive is better than any belt drive TT? Just trying to show you how you logic is flawed.

@jerryg123 - I don't know...Jeff Rowland. Plinius, Boulder....(certainly not McIntosh)

Simple - solid state is the way to go. No hassle, heat, turning on and off, worrying about tubes replacement, lots of power, etc.....You can get just as good SQ - it's not a technology issue, it is a design issue. If the SS design is good, it will sound just as good as a tube amp. They can last decades if treated right.