Seriously? Why Buy ARC Ref 6SE? seems Benchmark LA4 is a better choice.

If you want to hear a difference between components buy tube gear!

Funny how jealousy expresses itself here.

@emergingsoul I don't buy the ego driven thing as something that applies to most folks. I think people buy what they like or need for their system. If the LA4 cost $20K I would have to do more demoing and likely still got it. However, at $2.5K it was simple buy decision and moved on to the next component I needed. I think it plays in the $20K crowd.

It’s a quandary. And leaning more toward tubes seems to offer more musical fun, especially vocals.  I can’t leave my home to go visit listening rooms due to an injury so I am learning what I can.  Although not sure if this would help.  
Buying an Audi or Mercedes clearly has considerable value. A recent Volkswagen may also be just as good, but it’s a Volkswagen.  A Volvo is a lot safer but doesn’t look as nice. I buy used cars, ie. audis, they perform quite well longer term.

@emergingsoul You sound like someone that needs to have a listen to the Luxman c900u preamp and m900u amp stack. Only tubey sound I loved and it is SS, great stuff. I would not mind putting the HPA4 or LA4 with the Luxman m900u amp but I will try a CODA #8 first for 1/3 the cost. I actually was emailing CODA today about getting a customized version of the #8, which I will do.

A side note about cars, I had BMW M3 (E46) for 19 years (only owner). I sold it a few weeks ago and bought some speakers with the proceeds. I advertised it on Facebook and had over 150 offers to buy in 1 hour, I was shocked. I had a guy come to my door 10 minutes after the ad was placed and gave me cash on the spot. He had seem my car on the driveway once and was able to figure out that it was my ad. I did not put my address on the ad. It really showed me the power of Facebook.