I have never heard SS Amps that sound anywhere near tubes.
1-Yes, that's my personal observation,
2-I have not heard at least 5billion of the ss options out there, so I can't say it doesn't exist, just that Ive never come across it.
3-I am willing to have my mind changed. I used to be 100% vinyl, but now my source is DSD and I chose it because it sounds analog without the hassle of vinyl. I was scared making the change but am so glad I did. Where I don't find any hassle worth mentioning is when talking about tubes, vinyl is a HUGE hassle and it was worth it to me before I found DSD, but I don't consider tubes any hassle at all.
The fact that ss is chasing and maybe catching tubes shouldn't be held against ss. By chasing tubes ss is admitting that it is were the goal is but I don't see anything wrong with them chasing better sound, nor do I think it is impossible for them to reach their goal, or as some has said, have already reached that goal.
T