Tube or solid state

it is contradictory to say that tube amplification is “LOWFI”, while admitting that tube amplifiers can “sound good”

LOWFI ""can"" sound good as long as the listener is expecting LOWFI : there’s no contradiction.

In some cases LOWFI amplification is better, especially with old recordings that are not able to provide good listening experience by themselves but require the amp to add some kind of "body" to the sound (what tube amps are usually doing well with a hudge amount of added distorsion).

Anyway : the world of LOWFI fanatics is very small today : 1) electric guitarists (for most kind of music : electric guitar microphones are unable to provide enough "body" by themselves), 2) phonographs and audiophiles tube amps for those who are searching for the good old sound of their youth, 3) some newcomers who believe what marketing says...

To come back to the main post’s question : tube preamp is total nonsense. What makes tubes enjoyable is second order distorsion at high operating level, preferably in class A operation. But even with this in mind : latest FET FDA are doing better.

So the answer is : no tube anywhere if HIFI is expected ! and tubes only at the power stage if LOWFI is expected.

I’m sorry. I disagree with you. You are completely wrong in much of what you write, and you write in antagonistic, derogatory fashion, disguised as “enlightenment”. Some of your facts are actual facts, but some of your “facts” are only your personal opinion, no more than that. And that is 100% fact. 

I’m sorry. I disagree with you. You are completely wrong in much of what you write, and you write in antagonistic, derogatory fashion, disguised as “enlightenment”. Some of your facts are actual facts, but some of your “facts” are only your personal opinion, no more than that. And that is 100% fact. 

You should provide at least 1 argument

I listen to music for 5 to 6 hours a day now that I am retired.  I listen to early jazz, blues, bluegrass, and even some crooners.  I love beautiful music and tubes give me more enjoyment than ss ever did.

I provided information. You chose to dismiss what I (and others) wrote. So I figured it was my writing style, so I modeled my last post more like your style. Inflexible. You’re not getting the points others are making. Or maybe you’re getting them, but you are unable to accept that other listeners don’t agree (because they are fools, or desire Low Fi). You seem to have some technical knowledge (which has questionable value for this specific thread), but your posts make you appear close-minded. Maybe it’s an internal struggle… the “science mind” sees differences in numbers that should suggest that what the “feeling mind” hears is nonsensical. Admittedly, that IS frustrating. I feel bad for those who are dealing with that discrepancy. I have heard plenty of live music, and I’ve spent A LOT of time listening to both SS and tube and hybrid equipment. My goal is HIFI, (contrary to what you believe) and I’m getting that from my system… through vacuum tubes! 🤯🤯🤯