To @audiocanada take this story with a grain of salt. To each his own. An audio buddy of mine who’s owned all sorts of vintage and modern tube amps and solid state amps, and so many different combinations of tubes in various boutique, and custom tube amps just tried another nice SS amp, and bought his final retirement amp. He’s tried so many amps with his Hersey II,III, IVs and finally caved in. He’s been tied to the Herseys due to space constraints, and a real focus with them as his constant to all the many preamps and amps and cable variables mixed in. He’s owned all sorts of separates over 40 years with custom 45, 2A3, 6L6, 6V6, 300b amps, [wow, too many] and others in between. Pretty much to an obsessive degree. He does not listen at loud volume. Does not like super detailed or overly dynamic or super fast presenting amps, as per his taste that HE says that he likes. I’m similar to this myself, actually. Both of us prefer the sultry midrange sound 1st.
The buddy sent me a message a few weeks back, and have not heard much since. He’s been locked down busy listening "to music" he says, enjoying it all since, LOL .Good for him. His last message, i.e. "finally bought the Leben CS-300XS". My "end game amp", done.
One thing my friend reminds us of, both of us listening to audio more than 50 yrs, he says "its your ears, your listening room, and it all comes down to your preference, whatever YOU like". The more I read threads here on Agon, I have to agree wholeheartedly. Preferences seem to vary greatly here on Agon of course.