Blah, blah blah. I was just kinda kidding, guys! I have a transistor DAC and transport and have never even considered checking out a tube output design.
Design is everything, which includes parts quality, and Sim Audio and Rowland make damn good sounding gear. I just think it appears easier to make good sounding tube stuff than the other way around. I once heard a 20 wt Accuphase SS amp driving ProAc 2.5s that made great music but at the time a 20 wt 572 SET design did an even better job. On the other hand, I've heard tube designs with such inherent glare and etch they drove me from the room. Have also heard tube designs that were so soft and dark I couldn't hear any music. Hey, now that I think of it, I've heard the same two extremes with SS designs, too!
Design is everything, which includes parts quality, and Sim Audio and Rowland make damn good sounding gear. I just think it appears easier to make good sounding tube stuff than the other way around. I once heard a 20 wt Accuphase SS amp driving ProAc 2.5s that made great music but at the time a 20 wt 572 SET design did an even better job. On the other hand, I've heard tube designs with such inherent glare and etch they drove me from the room. Have also heard tube designs that were so soft and dark I couldn't hear any music. Hey, now that I think of it, I've heard the same two extremes with SS designs, too!