Agreed Charles. I've listened with a few tube watts to a couple hundred SS watts. The DI's have no "preference" for what drives them. There has been a huge variation in upstream equipment posted on this thread and most everyone has agreed the DI's reproduce clearly what is being fed to them. For me amp choice is dictated by what I want to listen to. There are some things tube SE designs will do what other amps don't. And there is some music where I crave the firm control SS offers. No different than pairing wine to your dinner entree.
I am at a loss to say exactly what accounted for nitrobobs experience. It certainly does not bother or offend me. But I have to say what he heard I have not. I have never heard issues with a nasal quality, driver integration, or power handling for what it's worth. Any of these issues would have compelled me to ship these back as well.
I can only surmise, as was mentioned, you have to look at system synergy. Furthermore, room acoustics can't be ignored. Lastly, and I think this is a big one, is that we all have differences in our hearing. If we all compared our audiograms, our ears would all measure differently. Sometimes dramatically. Is it any wonder we have different preferences? (and there are more complex reasons for our innate preferences beyond simple audiograms--but I'll pass on that discussion for now.)