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

Ha, ha!  Geoffscat. 🐍💩

I hate to judge before all the facts are in but it appears maritime must have wandered off to the mind garden one too many times. 🌷🌺🍄🌷🌹

Geoffscat, you are a hoot. But, like a 💩 in a punch bowl, an acquired taste. 🐍💩

I haven't read the entire thread but here goes.

My pre-amp and phono amp use subminiature tubes.  They are military rated for minimal vibration (extreme, like for use in bombs and portable delicate equipment) are ultra low noise (not as much as a transistor but better than it's 12AX7 or 6SN7 counterparts) high output, relatively cool running, and lastly 100,000 hour use rating.  They sound fantastic in my gear and minimize the size of the gear as well.

My 125w. tube amps run in voltage regulated mode (not triode, SET, ultralinear).  After 3 hours, you can place your hand on the output transformers (Peerless) and it will be about 90 to 100 degrees warmth.  

I did not enjoy listening to CDs as much as analog until I purchased an EAR Acute CD player which can use NOS Amperex 6922s.  

Sure, I've tried Counterpoint hybrid and a host of SS amps and pre-amps.  Even the Yamaha's C4 preamp ran silent with great tonal quality but had a flat soundstage.  Many SS preamps and amps I tried just couldn't bring the sound to life like tubes.  Until 2005, I tried 40 or 50 amps and pre-amps over 30 years until I found what I liked.  

I have heard some great sounding SS pieces at audio shows but more often enjoyed the sound of tube gear, including some high power SETs but mostly Class A/B designs.