Can tube preamps be as 'detailed' sounding as ss?

Bob_reynolds, "accurate" is most definitely an adjective.

It cannot be identified by any measurement, otherwise, it would have already been created. The perfect measuring solid state amplifiers of the 70s and 80s are an example of components proven to be "accurate", and are as flawed as anything else out there.

I'm glad you're OK with people hearing a component, because we all do - even you. I can definitely hear what solid state sounds like, and I often like it. Just that it's not "accurate".

Rayhall, yes, I too appreciate your points, well stated, well taken.

And there is no such thing as "best" in this venture.

07-15-06: Rayhall wrote:
These kinds of questions just frustrate the hell out of me. There are great tube preamps and lousy ones. There are great solid state preamps and lousy ones. Some tube preamps are detailed. Others are smooth and lush. The same can be said of solid state preamps. There are tube preamps with great extension in the low end and ones which push the midrange forward. The same can be said of solid state. Why do people always want to take the most elemental aspect of design and, with little or no research or experimentation, turn it into THE most significant aspect of achieving one sound or another.

Well I sorry if my question offended you. Being a ss guy, I haven't heard much in the way of tube gear which is why I asked what I meant to be a SIMPLE question. After lots of debate here, my question has been answered. While I would love to audition every tube premp out there, I can't afford to do so which is why I came here for advise.

Machman12000:

Sorry if it seemed that my frustration was all directed at you. It wasn't. Of course, you have the right to ank any question here that you feel will help you and I don't have the right to pass judgement on it like I know everything. I have heard a lot of equipment, but, by no means, have I heard all that there is to hear. I owned a Plinius SA-100 amp about 5 years ago, and I got a lot of enjoyment from it. I have never heard the CD Lad, although it was around at that time. Here are some of my favorite preamps and linestages.

Solid state

Ayre K-1Xe
CTC Blowtorch
Dartzeel NHB-18NS

Tube:

First Sound Presence Deluxe Mk II (This is a linestage only)

CAT SL-1 Ultimate Mk I (haven't heard the Mk II)

Although some of these products are considerably more expensive than the CD Lad, they will certainly blur any lines between what solid state or tube amplification should sound like. Get your hands on any of those above for audition and you can include preamps from Herron Audio, Emotive Audio, Wyetech, Supratek as well as a new solid state preamp which I understand will be (or is) cheap from Parasound. The auditioning will keep you busy for quite a while,but I bet that you will here tube and solid state products which each satisfy.

Good luck.

I think so. I am amazed how much the choice of tube can impact the clarity of any piece tube gear