Best Values and worst values in SS and tube amps ?

It's very hard to tell how an amp will sound in your system, even if you've heard it with other equipment. The best guide is still listening, though, even if you can't do it at home.

Just to prove that YMMV, I loved my Sim Celeste W-4070Se, right up until I sold it to make a big upgrade to Shanling tubes--the SP-80. IMHO both these amps are excellent value. The Shanlings are very melodic and musical, the Celeste was danceable in the extreme.

Linn LP12/RB300 Cardas/Cardas Heart, Shanling CD-T100, Klyne SK-5A, Meadowlark Shearwater Hot Rod, Ensemble cables.

I have to agree with Dekay bad idea for a thread.
Everything is system dependant. Almost worthless to do these generalizations. Case in point, Aronov LS960 tube amps.
I have owned many different amps in all price catagories. I found the Aronov to be an excellent value...I have it pushing $20,000 speakers so the price is not the criteria. On the other hand if you listen with your eyes, Sonic Frontiers while looking great on paper....

Eagle:

Yes, I do. I have listened to quite a few mismatched/poor sounding systems made of otherwise desirable components and have also experieced a number of mismatches in my own systems over the years.

Pretty much impossible to say with any certainty what's good or bad becuase it's all about synergy. As case in point was a recent change I made to my system. My original setup was Martin Logan Quest Z's driven by a BATVK-500 amp and Transparent bi-wires, great match. When I sold the ML's and put the Eminent Technology LFT VIII speakers in the mix the sound was very disappointing. I knew I had a cable mismatch and swapped the Transparent for Zu WAX biwires (thanks for the heads up Ron) and voila, bliss. The point is you cannot determine the quality of a component unless it's set up properly; the amps you consider underperformers may very well be set up using wires or even speakers that are not well suited to it's character. Educate your ears and learn to match systems, with few exceptions I really doubt there are "bad" products on the market but I'm certain there are mismatched systems.

sonicbeauty.your thread is not bonehead nor without merit.look how many responses have been given.this is what this site is about.some generalities can be made.if one thinks X equipment is sh.t and overrated that's his opinion.it's as valid as anyone else is .what i'm trying to say is;if 90% of the people think mccormack is a good buy for the money,it's a good bet that is true.regardless of the rest of the components.it's threads like yours that get people thinking.better this thread than "should i buy a 500$ power cord or a 1000$ one.thanks for the thread.