Quandary

With the Benchmark I can set the volume control knob anywhere between 11:00 and 2:00, a much wider range than any of the other amps. The CJ tube preamp has been refitted with Teflon caps and is an ideal match for the Benchmark.
The combination of solid state and tubes works.  The amount of detail, warmth and soundstaging is impressive.

Yes, tube linestages can work well and sound good with solid state amps.  But, the biggest difference in sound comes from using a good tube amp.  I hang out at a very serious audio shop that does not sell ANY solid state amplification.  They also don’t sell high powered tube amps.  So many visitors to the shop are utterly amazed at the sound; for some, it is like a religious experience.  They have never heard this kind of sound at shops pushing solid state and high power tube amps.
 

It is all about the sound.  As good as a hybrid tube/solid state sounds, I don’t think one gets close to the full measure of tube sound without a tube amp.  I’ve used solid state linestages with tube amps, and I prefer that combination to tube linestage feeding solid state.

In my system, at least, the CJ and Rogue tube amps didn’t work out well.

@mrdecibel 

Youre so right about mood being a factor. In fact, I started that discussion on mood you referenced.

Interesting note: The Pass solid state sounded better than either of the tube amps I tried.