Best Values and worst values in SS and tube amps ?

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.

I'll "third" Aronov tube gear as being great (used) value ! I haven't found anything to bettter drive my Gallo Nucleus Ref's than the Aronov 110W Monos (4 conservatively driven 6550C's or KT 88's ea,) for the price. I used to have Pass Aleph 2.s.

I think this thread itself is an example of what I'm saying about subjective preference. Some people love Aronov and some think it's the worst. Lots of people think Sim Audio is wonderful. Others don't.

It's useless to attempt to evaluate an amp when you mismatch components or use that as proof of why "system" is all important. I'm not talking about mismatches. For the premise of this thread to be without merit would require there is never a similar character or house sound from gear produced by a particular factory. I think you will have a difficult time convincing many of that.

The originator of the thread likes McCormack and I used Bryston to compare as an example since it is also a very popular and well regarded company. It's likely Bryston fans will most always prefer them over a McCormack because they like that sound and vice versa. Let your own ears decide based on your subjective preference.