This comparison brings to mind the other tube vs. SS discussion:
CRT vs. digital projectors
While I'm seriously in the SS camp on audio, for video, I've been running a big-a$$ CRT projector (Sony G70) for seven years and love the image. Three huge ‘tubes’ in that thing
It is 'softer' than digital PJ's, definitely not as sharp but oh does it have outstanding color and black levels. Black is so black, you cannot see your hand if you hold it between the screen and your face.
But just like tube amps, this puppy requires registration tweaks every six months and if you ever move the screen, a full-on focus and alignment session that can take six hours.
Oh, and they heat up the room something fierce.
I'll be crossing over to the digital side sometime next year, as those are finally getting close enough in all areas (they are ahead in some) to CRT to make the jump.
The preference for a tube amp on audio I find to be parallel to using a CRT, softer, less sharp, but somehow more pleasing to the eye or ear.
Whether it's because it masks flaws in the sources or just interacts better with the speaker is debatable. But many of you seem to like the effect.