Is a tube phono better than ss?

Just want to add an observation that is related Atmasphere's comment about surface noise. Perhaps we are talking about the same thing, but I would describe it this way (and acknowledging the dangers in generalizing):

To my ears, LP surface noise heard when using a tube phono stage often seems to be removed from the music content; almost as if it is occurring in a different plane, and as a result can be less obtrusive. Using a ss phono stage it seems to be more a part of the music and consequently more difficult to ignore. IMO and based on using many different pre's of both persuasions over the years.

Pops and ticks as an indicator of NF Ringing?

Hadn't thought about that but would seem to make sense.

Also I think I understand Frogman's comment about how lp surface noise sounds with tube amplification versus otherwise in general. I have been running a tube phono pre-amp for several years now and have not done direct comparisons with prior SS units I've owned, but in general I there could be some validity to saying the noise inhernet with tube amplification is less apparent than with SS.

Pops and ticks as an indicator of NF Ringing?

Hadn't thought about that but would seem to make sense.

Seen it. about 25 years ago a friend of mine and I both bought the same UHQR LP from a specialty store. For some reason his was noisy and mine was not- until he brought his over to my house and found that it was nice and quiet as well. Turned out his preamp was the problem (we had the same cartridge and tone arm).

It took some work; we found that both preamps had very good RIAA EQ, IOW that was not it. A big difference between the two is my preamp was tube and zero feedback, his was solid state with active EQ. When I put the units on the bench and ran some tests it was easier to see what was going on.

The slew rates of the two preamps and bandwidth (as you might expect) were nearly the same. Quite literally it came down to the use of active EQ. This was the first time but not the last that I have seen this phenomena.

I have a pet theory that cheap phono sections in inexpensive receivers has led people to think LPs are noisy all the time, which has led to general acceptance of CDs :)

Nice story Ralph. I'm not sure whether it means active EQ is always inferior though. My everyday tube phono uses passive eq and does not have any negative feedback, but I also have a very conventional 12AX7 phono with RIAA in the feedback loop, and they both sound good although rather different. Although I prefer the sound of the preamp with passive eq, I haven't noticed any differences in tracking ability or mistracking noise.

"Also a factor is whether the solid state is Class A circuit design"

I seem to recall all SS phono stages and SS Pre-amp circuits run in class A, so I don't think that's it.

I've had tubed and solid state gear. My tubed stuff was CJ Premier and Rogue and my SS was Adcom, Bryston, ML, and now Pass. I have always found SS to be quieter than tubed. Disclaimer- I never had a tubed phono stage but frankly, I think I'm going to be buried with my Pass phono stage as I don't think that it can ever be pried away from me, even from my cold dead hands.

But to get to the OP, I don't think any definitive statement of superiority can be made between tubed and SS. There are better and worse implementations of each. And even with a great implementation, you have no guarantee of success as system synergy forever lurks.

Best idea is to make a short list and try to audition with your gear in your environment.

Good luck and cheers!