I think, had it been switchable tube/solid-state, rather than full-time hybrid, it’d would have been viable for me. Or at least interesting enough to try and spend some time with.
At that level, there’s not much room for compromise - and I’ve yet to find a high(er) hybrid that was “tubey” enough, while still being technically competent.
Oddly enough, the iFi Pro iCAN, along with Schiit’s hybrid models, are the closest I’ve gotten to non-purist satisfaction (soft spot for all of those …).
As soon a my N30LE (wish you guys still carried Cayin) finishes charging I’ll have to give Fred a listen.