i enjoyed my time with the big VAC Statement 450's in my system. a lot to like. it could handle complicated music for sure. in the end i preferred the darTZeel 468's solid state, but likely other solid state choices at that time might have bowed to the VAC. generally i lean toward tube amplification too, but not heard the best non-darTZeel current solid state offerings......yet.
Of course it also very much depends not just on the type of tube gear, but on how easy the speakers are to drive. Mine are a very easy load by impedance (high throughout) and phase angle characteristics.
For many if not most non-horns the best choice may be solid state, at least when it comes to the power amp.
in early 2017 i had a fork in my digital road. i had a modestly priced solid state Aqua Formula dac demo unit i compared to my Lampi GG 1.5. head to head it was clear (pun intended) that the more demanding the music, the more i was hearing the music with the Formula dac, and hearing through something to get to the music with the GG 1.5. sure i liked the tube sound, it was beautiful, but on much of the music it was in the way. i had plenty of tubes to roll. this was a big surprise to me. but undeniable.
6 months later i ended up buying a used MSB Select II to go further down the solid state dac road.
this was in my system, to my ears, head to head on the music that was most important to me to be the most satisfying. big complicated music in a big room without limits was my priority. still is. with the Wadax i think i get it all with any type of music; truth and beauty. digital has come a ways.
other ears and systems and music focus might have taken the other fork. the Lampi GG 1.5 was a sweet dac. could live with it forever and not look back.
The Lampi GG was much better than the Select 2, in my comparisons, and since then there have been other similar reports of maybe Pacific or so. For complex classical.
Of course it also very much depends not just on the type of tube gear, but on how easy the speakers are to drive. Mine are a very easy load by impedance (high throughout) and phase angle characteristics.
For many if not most non-horns the best choice may be solid state, at least when it comes to the power amp.
For me personally I do not prioritize clarity and information retrieval. I am looking forward to hearing Horizon 360 in direct comparison to Varese to see which is my personal preference.
I am a single issue voter. If the LampizatOr has greater "breath of life" on vocals, then for me personally it is game over.
