Solid State vs. Tubes - What if Transistors came first?


What do you guys think?

If transistors came first, and then decades later tubes were invented, would we have any tube amps we would call high end?

Wouldn’t they all fail to reach the height of performance and transparency set by transistor amps?

Best,

E

P.S. I love Conrad Johnson. I'm just wondering how  much of our arguments have to do with timing. 
erik_squires
Also another question to ask is that can we invent a device that sound even better than tubes and transistors?  Does such a device exist?

I mean it took lots of money and time back then to invent tubes and transistors.  It seems like in term of human well being and with respect to the planet earth, such a device is probably somewhere near the bottom of the list.  I doubt anyone will invest money into it.  Tubes and transistors we originally design for practical purposes like radio and communication.  Audio is just a byproduct. 

But theoretically can we invent such a device?  It's possible.  
You could say hybrid amps are better in some respects than either pure tube or pure solid state amps in some cases.