I've tried to sell myself on tubes and have spent a fair amount of time with Octave, ARC, VAC, etc., and liked Octave the best. I don't have much experience with low power amps, high efficiency speakers, which I think is a different beast. The tube amps I've heard are well built and produce a pleasant sound-something I could be happy with if that was what was available. The tube amps I've heard were pleasant, but not natural and lacked a bit on the bottom end. I landed in a place that, to my ears, produces a more natural, honest sound throughout the spectrum. I think its simply a matter of personal taste-no right or wrong. Some take their coffee black, some with cream and sugar. To me that's the difference. Ultimately, I think its more important to have a competently designed, well built amp and preamp.
Why did you lean one way or the other
Without judgement towards me, or from me, what did you find more enjoyable, going from tubes to solid state, and/or from solid state to tubes? My posts here have stated my reasons for going in a particular direction. What say you? Please, if you want to participate in this discussion, let's all be civil, mature, and realize, we all have a musical "taste" we are after, and because of this, there is no right or wrong, except for yourself.