To answer to the above, I just think that all component that are good, are good objectively and we all just use them as tone controls. I'll give an example now that I have the ASR Basis Exclusive: My speakers are Quad ESL57 and they are incredible at what they are incredible at, tonal realism, tactile sound, elbow room around instruments, airy presentation but for all time, people have been trying to get a little more sparkle out of the top end and a little less mushy bass. I've been able to help this by using a higher powered tube amp than is traditionally suggested (using protection boards) and after years of using an Art Audio phono stage, I've found that the ASR Basis gives me all that tube midrange and realism but I'm able to squeeze more top end sparkly out of the Quads by using it. People I know who own to the very best phono stages tell me that once you get into the ASRs and the other units in that price range and above, the difference between tubes and solid state is not really the issue anymore. I've found that to be true with my experiences since my initial post. And it's not like I can just change speakers because I'm not going to find what I love in the Quads in any other speakers.
