Tube preamp reliability vs SS?

"Musicians love tube amps since tubes are easy to replace. Semiconductors failure is harder to diagnose and usually require professional repair."

Not too sure about that Kijanki.  I would think it's more about the fact that the sound can be manipulated to achieve a desired result. At least that's the case with the one's that I've talked to. Plus most of the guys that use tube amps just like the sound, it gives them that "tube thing" that can't be replicated by SS. 2nd order distortions and all that makes tubes, well tubeelicious :)

Audio reproduction and tube guitar amplifiers have completely different objectives with one similarity, the preference for tubes in the circuit, it's simply a matter of taste. 

Tubegroover, That’s what I heard from the few of them. Nice distortion (crunch) is another reason. It seems logical to me that tech person in the band (often one of musicians) can easily bring amp back to life by simply replacing a tube, but SS amp would be practically irreparable on the road. Any performing musicians here?

Yes, audio amps and guitars amps are different but ability to fix them easily is always appreciated.

articdeath, don't be so quick to dismiss using a tube preamp just because tubes wear out every few years.
The first time you change the tubes to a different brand/type, you will hear the different sonic possibilities tubes can bring to your system.
I was hooked and now own my 3rd tube pre with a SS amp.

BTW, if you are interested in CJ, there are many highly rated used models in the $2500 range; e.g., CJ Premier 16LS and 17LS. (And I don't think the McCormack LD-2 preamp uses tubes).

Impedance matching between the tube preamp and the SS amp is critical, especially if you are still running those low-impedance mono blocks.
And as Al stated, CJ specs indicate high gain levels.

There are many tube preamps out there with low impedance and low gain.

Tubes are warmer sounding it depends on the voltage the tube is running at on how long it will last and how much you use it.

I've been using MFA tube preamp and mono amps for many years and all components have been extremely reliable.  Having tube gear does not increase my "audio nervosa" in any way. Speaker placement is more likely to do that!  :)

 I have a decent tube tester which will confirm if a tube is indeed bad.  Other than that, I trust my ears.  Tube rolling can be fun, and for the most part, an economical way to experiment with how one's system can sound.

For me, tubes are appealing on a number of levels.  ONE: They glow. TWO: They offer sweet dimensional sound.  THREE: Once I "went tubes" there was no going back to SS.  Yes, I understand that SS can often offer more "punch" at the low end, but my tastes in music are not particularly oriented to amplified mid or lower bass punch.  I've listened to many jazz combos in clubs, with acoustic bass, and not once does that bass sound "punchy."  Likewise in concert halls with symphonic orchestras.

If I were more into hard rock/metal, I'd possibly be more inclined to choose SS amps, but I'd still want a tube preamp.

Tube components for me, makes for a more engaging way to participate in high-end audio. I love the history and "organic" quality of those glowing glass bottles.

Of course, many others disagree, and YMMV.