It is fun to combine both with software defined DSP radios.
But nothing replaces the magic of the golden age of radio.
“the golden age of radio”
I still love my Collins Twins. Incredible equipment, even if the have “valves”. hee hee hee
Seriously, there is something special about the presence of audio from a tube type amplifier. And when it comes to RF front-ends, it was a very long time before anyone took solid-state front ends serious. They simply did not handle overloads well. Hybrid rigs were the norm for a long time.
A also love my old Atlas 210. The simplest radio, but an incredible crystal filter. Still have one that works. (have had my fingers in it with mods too).