and the "solid state pa systems" are only "solid state" because all they're doing is projecting the main (tube) amp's sound. they have no individual tone.

Actually, there a lot of pro's who opt for the modeling amps such as Line 6 (not the Spiders, the good ones such as Flextone or Vetta) for their versatility. Although tubes sound better most of the time, some higher end SS amps would probably be close enough in terms of sound that most non musicians wouldn't really notice. Owning a tube amp myself (and playing a strat), I can say tubes are fine and dandy, but certainly don't make the world of difference most 'purists' hype them to. Don't get me wrong, they're good and all, but maintaining/transporting them and whatnot is a lot more of a pain.

Actually, there a lot of pro's who opt for the modeling amps such as Line 6 (not the Spiders, the good ones such as Flextone or Vetta) for their versatility. Although tubes sound better most of the time, some higher end SS amps would probably be close enough in terms of sound that most non musicians wouldn't really notice. Owning a tube amp myself (and playing a strat), I can say tubes are fine and dandy, but certainly don't make the world of difference most 'purists' hype them to. Don't get me wrong, they're good and all, but maintaining/transporting them and whatnot is a lot more of a pain.

Guys, it depends on taste. Tube amps have a warmer sound, ss amps have a more modern feel. You have to replace tube amps vaccuum tubes every year or so, ss you dont. They both have their strengths and weakness. And not every pro musician uses tube amps. I think most of the more older/respectable musicians use tube amps is because they started playing when tubes were harcore popular, or before solid state was invented. Im sure 10-20 years from now theyres going to be a heck of alot more people using solid state amps than tubes.
Also I personally stay away from modeling amps because they dont emulate a natural tone.