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Tube when done right, isn't "adding distortion". That's what crazed objectivist and sellers want you to believe. Case in point is the BHSE, 4x tubes and extremely low distortion. Overgeneralizing like that is like saying all NOS roll off treble, and all delta-sigma dacs sound like crap. On the same topic, the lampi is more linear than most thing that I've heard (including NOS stuff, various delta sigma Dacs - including many Sabre stuff which people usually claim "most detailed", and R2R). The thing that the Lampi really stands out for is the tone and soundstage.
I've been through most dacs in the market, if the Lampi is distortion and "roll a tube get a random sound" I wouldn't have kept it. I think you heard HC's Hilo, the thing use an opamp output stage, yet you can't really say that it's worse than a discrete stage - implementation is key.
Actually, that's exactly what tubes do. That's not to say a tube device necessarily has high distortion, but it will in general have more of it by nature of the tubes themselves, regardless of implementation. Certainly, tube amps for instance with extremely low distortion do exist, even at levels that are inaudible, but you're not likely to ever see a design that can match the distortion floor attainable solid state in this technical aspect. Plus, the BHSE is an exception, not a rule; the vast majority of audiophile tube amps, etc. today have audible and measurable levels of distortion by their own published specs far exceeding that of the BHSE and 99% of solid states. That's the tube sound we all know and love.
So, they are factually not as accurate as solid state, there is zero disputing that. I think you're conflating the term distortion with lack of detail; something can have high distortion but still produce sound of exceptional separation and clarity. Instead, what the distortion does is it colors the sound.
However, that doesn't mean it's bad. Remember, when you're dealing with gear of a certain high enough standard and quality, the minute differences in technical capability cease to be substantiative compared to sound signature, such as the coloration from the tubes. It just becomes an issue of whether or not you like the sound of the gear, or whether it matches well with other gear
per your personal tastes, what people call synergy.
Tubes add distortion, but many, myself included, just happen to like this distortion a lot.
However, I too am of the opinion that a tube DAC doesn't make much sense unless you know exactly what you want to pair it with or have a chance to experiment/audition. Every component you add that has its own coloration is another thing you have to match. It's much easier to find a set of headphones that play nice per your tastes with an amp and a neutral DAC then to match the headphones with the amp AND the DAC.
