This is true about the tube amp in my opion as well. However just because it is a "tube amp" does not make all things well. There are different sounds to different tube amps...DUH. Ok I have worked alot with Dave Mason and a quite a few others, and the sound he gets from his set up is out standing. Dave, as you may or may not know, does his share of accoustic electric sound in his show. He uses three "Bob Bradsaw" designed pre amps....Bob is with C.A.E. That is Custom Audio Electronics. Dave then runs the out put into two Fender Devilles. The preamps do all the work for clean, crunch, and lead / solo drive. Again the sound is great. I will also say that this set up very expensive. You can get just one preamp from Bob....check out thier web site....Google it.