Ossidian

Many of todays recordings and remasters are poorly recorded and the mastering is called upon to really goose the gain. http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=u2&album=achtung+baby Reference Recordings, Analogue Productions, AIX records and Blue Coast Records to name a few produce quality recordings with excellent mastering but they are the not the norm. Loud all the time and the loudness wars continue due to the push from the large record labels unfortunately.

The answer is whether solid state or tube sounds best to "your" ears in your room with your gear. What's better vanilla or chocolate? I guess it depends on taste. I use tubes on my AMT, midrange and solid state on my auggies (woofers).