Can you have too many tubes?

Albert,loved the site,you showed.Wasn't that the inside of the space ship,in "The Day the Earth Stood Still"?Great stuff!!

BTW--I'm sure you are not shooting film,with the advances in digital photography.Though I'd love a Leica Rangefinder of old,a balance of newer technology,with the old is not such a bad thing.I,personally,am not getting rid of my expensive film camera,any time soon,but I swoon over the newer digital stuff.Only in photography,BTW,not musical realism.Then it's still LP's all the way,though a good CDP keeps me in touch,with new stuff.I love MUSIC first!

As per the TUBE ONLY issue,I don't think the "Better" solid state MFGRS would have thrown in with the "least satisfying" more modern designs if there was not some potential there.Believe me,when I state that I have NO preference to any "TYPE",being tube or solid state.Just the outcome,in a given system.I've "open mindedly" heard wonderful sound from both types,and am sure your set-up is fabulous.Why wouldn't it be,with your passion!!Best regards!

Albert,I think the civilization that built "THAT" spaceship would have chosen the tube route,since the void in space is rather chilly.In a situation like that "One can never have too many tubes"!Best regards.

Albert,though I do love the sound of a well thought out tube based system(no denying the stunning timbres),and would not,myself,rule out adding more tube equipment in the future,I find it a tough road,ergonomically,during summer.Even with A/C,in my dedicated room,if I had more tubes,the A/C units would run quite a bit more than now.Costly,with today's energy prices.My NY/NJ based tube loving pals have almost completely stopped listening in summer,and that was one reason I went to my Rowland amp,as opposed to the big mono block tubies,I had previously owned.The sound is, actually, amazingly tube like(though that is,to me,a dumb generalization,as the sound is either "right" or not "right")!

I'm not trying to be dismissive of tubes,or a fine set-up,as you seem to have.I would appreciate any feedback you may be able to give me,as to how you deal with the heat issue,during the hotter time of the year.Unless sitting in a colorful "Speedo" is the only alternative,I may very well be adding more tube based equipment down the road.Even with the sudden "discovery" by JV,and HP(next issue of TAS)that "suddenly"(MBL amps,and the new "solid state" HP favorite,to be revealed soon)there are alternative choices,I find a well matched tube system to simply put,"have magic"!But I still would rather find a midway point,which I think I now have,that allows for the "sound" and not wearing my bathing suit during the Holiday Season.Man,this hobby can be frustrating.

Best regards!!

PS How's the tube crossover doing?

Atmasphere(Ralph),your statement alluding to never having too many tubes,in a system,is,respectfully,absurd!Though I love a fine tube based set-up,there are trade-offs.Some of which are maintaining a vast quantity of tubes,as well as heat output,in a given space.No,I'm not disrespecting the use of tubes(or the better solid state products),but there simply must be a point of moderation,in total amount used,which is attainable.

The friends that I have,that are "true" tube lovers,STILL keep a watchful eye out to lower the quantity,in their system,when they can.One can still get a fabulous sounding set-up,with careful attention to detail,while being careful(and thoughtful)in where,and how we add tubes to a system.I've seen(heard) it work.

Any experienced audiophile knows that,in order to really appreciate our beloved "music",we must be able to listen in relative comfort,and anyone denying the attention we have to pay,to "heat related" issues,especially with tubes, is deluding the facts.Even with quiet central A/C,as I have,I do not appreciate having to overuse my A/C units in hot weather,and have been successful in reducing tube volume,while maintaining a respectable sound.I'm sure I'm not alone,in this.

I mean NO disrespect,and am aware of the fact that you may have been jesting,and are a respected mfgr;but you don't have to have a mega quantity of tubes to be SOTA.I'm convinced that I have heard wonderful,and satisfying systems that were tube based,as well as wonderful systems that were solid state based.Best wishes!