2 channel Poll: Vote: Do you use Tubes or SS?


after using tubes for almost 12 years now, 2 of those using hybrids, i am now going to use Solid State amps for the 1st time in my audio life. Reasons? I have too many high maitanence things in my life (job,girlfriend car, not in any particular order) and can't see using 16 output tubes in addition to the 32 I use for source gear. So the question, of the memebers here, chime in, do you use SS or Tubes??

Btw: this isnt a Tubes vs SS is better thread.
128x128justlisten
Enjoy your time with solid state. See you back in tube world after you tire of transistors!!! Baby, I said CJ not BJ!!!!
BATVK500 ss amp, BATVK30 tubed preamp. I'm too busy, lazy, and cheap to consider a tubed amplifier
Hassle free tube amp David Berning ZH-270, tube life is an estimated 20 years and biasing is done automatically on a cycle by cycle basis. The tube life was not a concern but more a bonus, I purchased the amp for its superb sonics.
I use a tube pre as well and the tubes in there last a long time anyway, maybe a few years.

I have stuck with SS, All Mcintosh with th exception of the CD pre-filter using tubes to "warm' the digital output. Realy cool
SS, for the same reasons: too much hassle, maintenance, and sound variability from tube to tube, plus one other problem you can never get around on tube amps-- output impedance / damping factor. If you are going to go SS, would suggest sticking to brands which make excellent ss and tube amps, ie BAT.
I'm pretty much tubed (DAC, SACD, phono stage, preamp) down to the amps, then I use tubes from 200hz up and SS below 200hz. While I might prefer a lower crossover point, I like to think I'm getting the best of both worlds.
A bit of both worlds actually. LS-15 hybred/tube pre, Marchand XM126 tube crossover, Cary SLA 70 Sig (all tube) and Classe CA-400. But I have to admit that getting good tubes is a pain.
I have a hybrid amp, Moscode 300 and a Hovland (tube) preamp, but I really have no preference.

I can say that an amp with mass amounts of tubes does not interest me for the hassle factor mentioned already. Four little tubes in the Moscode is fine.
If I would go for SS I would get Pass X350 or Gamut D200 or Pass Aleph 2 monos but I havn't a budget for those right now and use VTL MB125.
I guess I am with Davewavaolcom.... I seem to go for solid state from makers known for great tube gear (Conrad Johnson/Motif and Blue Circle); those known for being similar to tube sound (YBA); and those known for getting analog sound out of digital (Stan Warren mods).

I've owned tube gear. They were nice, but I am back to solid state. Same hastle factor; I am busy; sound would not be the same when tubes went bad and replacements were different; it drove me nuts.