Wow, I think this thread covered the territory FAST and with a refreshing level of exhaustiveness. I've owned a number of the tippy top ones, had a near-fetish going for a while I think
I did way more solid state than tube. My solid state vote would be Accuphase (probably the tuned and refreshed T-100; the thing was rather large unfortunately).
So now for my petite curveball contribution:
The Sony XDR-F1HD
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00168Q248/?tag=pinkfishmedia-20
NO, it is not the best. YES, it is rather outrageously good for the price. I stumbled onto it I forget how, then did a little web research and found some compelling reviews, a la this:
http://www.audio-ideas.com/reviews/sony-xdr-f1hd.html
No, I'm not selling anything lol. At this point I confess I primarily use the web for radio, BUT this thing is really really good, and for the price, a bit of a total no-brainer. I didn't head-to-head it, having already departed with all the big stuff (for the record the list included the big Tandberg, several of the top mcintoshes, several of the monster yamahas, several accuphases, kenwoods, pioneers, quad, naim), but let's just say shy of another T-100 or an MR71, 10B (never owned! but I would!) etc, I'm not bothering looking for a tuner anymore.