In a perfect world, I hear tube and ss gear playing music together in perfect harmony side by side...or would that be above and below each other. Anyway who is to say what is the best? I have the cosecant and I love it(didn't start with the brick), but I'm sure there are ss dacs and cd players that can best it, Jules Coleman felt the Sim audio Andromeda and Reimyo were slightly better and thats all good (he also thinks very highly of the Devore Silverbacks). What ultimately matters is the music and that you enjoy it.
Hemihorn, I'd go with an apple ibook.