tube amps sounding like solid state and vv

There is an openness of sound that tubes are capable of that transistors have not yet achieved.

The only real downside to using tubes in amplification devices is related to driving lower impedance speaker loads (4ohm and below). In a preamp, tubes can drive the high input impedance of a power amp, which is typically 20,000 to 200,000 ohms, quite easily. There is also no need for an output transformer in a tube preamp. All of this means that the preamp is an ideal place to take advantage of the sonic benefits of tubes with no real downside.

The best tube and solid state preamps are attempting to converge on the theoretical definition of neutrality, but they probably never will because it doesn't likely exist.

I'm a firm believer in the notion that the pre-amp is the better application for tubes rather than the power amp.

Mapman, it depends on the speakers. For example, something like a 16 Ohm speaker load might be better served by a tube amp.

Unsound, the funny thing about that is that transistors sound better on 16 ohms too. I agree with you of course :)

Give a listen to the Music Reference RM9 or RM10 run passive through a Noble or equally good POT. You'll hear all the benefits of tubes without a tube sound.