I often notice that people who have open reel decks and/or tube equipment are nicest

Also gotta say I have never met a disagreeable Ohm Walsh owner. No joke!

They say good sound can have a calming effect on the soul and I agree with that.

We could do a study here where we compare systems of the grouches versus the good guys and see if there is a correlation to the systems they listen to. Could be the most meaningful study on good sound ever! I’d bet fatigue is a key factor. Also boredom.  Make it so!

I have a tube pre and meters on my amps...my friend who has all tube gear and 3 reel to reel decks is as nice as anyone I've ever known...

They have to be nice because dealing with all the reel to reel frustration and lack of available things to listen requires a certain amount of tolerable skill. and Dealing with people as we know is incredibly challenging.

I suppose tubes and warmth go hand in hand. I also think tubes and reel to reel decks say a lot about one's level of curiosity. So many tubes, so many functions, so many voicings, so many designs. Reel to reels, so much mechanical complexity and it's right there to see, not some magical unseen technology like digital and streaming (although I love these as well, all in service to the music). 

The patience and meticulous attention required for reel to reel probably would make for a calm, friendly, and controlled personality.  Does this make such owners also more inclined to be serial killers?