I can design a horrendous class whatever amp too. That's not the point. No, design is a lot but it is not everything. There are limits of what is possible.
Orpheus10, there are great SS preamps, they are expensive and one can probably do better with tubes for the same or less but I don't know it.
Boulder, Gryphon, D'Agostino, Soulution, Accuphase etc.