I like the sound of components that use tubes. The "warm glow" doesn't do anything positive for me. Rather, it reminds me that each one of these suckers is going to need to be replaced somewhere along the line, and then I start to do the math in my head (2 x 4 x $140), (2 x 2 x 125), 1 x $275. Then I wonder why I bought tube gear. Then I start listening to the music again and know why I bought tube gear.
Are tubes psychological?
This just occurred to me this morning as I listened in my rather dark listening room with the soft glow of tubed amps on the floor in front of me between the speakers: How much of my enjoyment of tubes gear is due to the relaxed state the glow puts my mind in?
Thoughts?