Awesome system title. The spinning inertia weights of the Michell table certain conjure up images of a hamster wheel. Or perhaps that comment was directed more at the merry-go-round associated with audiophilia nervosa?
I have to agree with you on the tubes. moving up to tube (especially if that gear is better than ones prior gear) does involve the trade-off you mentioned. More realism (more transparency, veils lifted, etc) but less hi-fi traits (extension at frequency extremes, bass slam, etc). For my priorities and tastes that is a trade-off worth making.