The ups and downs of tube vs. SS...

It isn't "baloney " If someone prefers tubes compared to solid state,  just as it isn't baloney if the preference is for solid state.  It isn't baloney if someone says that they enjoy tubes and solid state  equally.  Subjectivity allows all of these preferences to be perfectly valid (and expected).

There is no substitute for tubes. Solid state can do some things extremely well, but cannot beat tubes for harmonic structure integrity and seductive sound. Solid state is cardboard or paper mache. Tubes are liquid and human sounding.

"Solid state is cardboard or paper mache. Tubes are liquid and human sounding."

That was my (subjective) opinion as well until I heard the Pass XA25 a friend just purchased last week. Paired with his floor standing Omega speakers it sounds lush and gorgeous, even with his Pass SS preamp. 
It sounded even more captivating when we switched in my Aric Audio tube preamp but I thought it got a bit too syrupy for my taste. Really liked that XA25...

That’s the exception that proves the rule. 😛