tube amps sounding like solid state and vv

I think some designers try to get distortion and frequency response to the best that they can, at the expense of other probably more important parameters. Tubes often take a more reasonable stance- 1% THD seems high for a transistor amp but is common for a tube amp, which uses less feedback (and consequently might sound smoother). You get more a little more distortion but less of the types the ear objects to.

The bottom line is you still have to trust your ears. The benchmarks for testing won't tell you if the amp is really going to work.

Taijitu (yin + yang)?

Perhaps, like many dichotomies, neither tube nor SS can truly thrive alone?

is ss the dark side of tubes ?

I guess in the the case of SS versus tubes it's a matter of perspective based on preference.

Is tubes the bright side of ss?