Why is solid state more popular when tubes are better?

Tube equipment may sound as good (Tubes do have the potential to create a lot of noise), but they also get HOT, and that's usually dangerous in households with kids and pets, or ME!  Additionally, the initial cost of tube equipment is generally significantly higher than solid state equipment.  Nonetheless, tubes have definite appeal.  I was going to buy a very pricey McIntosh tube amp, but the thing was so big and heavy it wouldn't fit in my Solid Steel rack! Instead, I bought the latest model Rotel 1592 MK II and it has been great. It runs cool, has plenty of power, sounds clean (Class A/B) and has a tone bypass plus individual bass and treble controls, which I find enhances the sound of recorded media significantly. I should also mention that it was priced thousands less than the Big Mac. Would I have "preferred" the McIntosh?  Perhaps, but I have no regrets with purchasing the Rotel. It does the job very well. It also has lots of connectivity options that the Mac does not.   

Sorry, I gave an incomplete model number in my posted response.  It's a Rotel RA-1592 MK II Integrated Amplifier.  Great sound and good value for the money.

I am amazed that so little of this discussion is about the music. In my experience, tubes vs ss, tt vs digital, separates vs integrated...

In all the examples, the closer to perfection in design/build etc., the closer to perfection in musical reproduction. When we refer to ss sound, tube sound, vinyl sound...we are referring to the imperfections introduced by gear. And hey...end of the day, some cardboard with magnets make the music.  It is all a wonderful illusion. That's not actually a symphony orchestra is it?

@moguls +1,000!

If a transistor goes bad, you have to take it to a technician to isolate it and to replace it. This added expense is likely to exceed replacing most tubes. Tube circuits are so simple that you can check the resistors and capacitors (for shorts) and often do it yourself.