Describe ube sound vs solid state

My take is different, there is good sound and bad sound. 20 to 30 years ago solid state amps were appalling, and the only solution was to go tube, which is what I did. Nowadays solid state amps are "ube" good, and so I have given up the tube thing.
I would say don't get hung up on the technology, listen and whether it is class A, A/B, D, and the rest of the alphabet, or tube go for the best sound.
The fundamental difference is something to do with distortion and clipping, tubes do it in a nicer way than transistors (even order harmonics). There is a hassle value with tubes, warming up, current draw and heat...and the tubes are constantly wearing out! What always amazes me is people buy exorbitantly priced tube gear, and the first thing they do is roll the tubes:)...like the designer got it wrong>
OK OK I also rolled tubes, it was fun:)
Bottom line is there are good and bad implementations of both SS and tube amps, so one is not necessarily better than the other. Historically there was a time when tubes in general knocked the socks off solid state.

"03-18-15: Csontos
What I find a little self-aggrandizing is the declaration that "Ive finally arrived at the perfect synergy and all there is to do now is enjoy the music". Hogwash! The objective fact is that no playback system even approaches live/real events. Not only that but it's being declared here on an 'audiophile' site where music is what facilitates the hobby. It's laughable. If I could acquire a perfect system, I'd sabotage my interest. It would then cease to exist, the challenge is no more. Fact is I love the hobby. Without the gear to focus on, I'd have to take up stamp collecting while listening to music."

Wow, I know it sounds right that the recorded sound should approach the live event....I must say my sound surpasses any live event I have been to. Firstly for pop/rock etc. the live event is often pretty ordinary, All depends on the venue and the mixing desk and the PA. You are in fact listening to a giant stereo system!! Secondly for Classical depends on where you sit and the amplifications system and the hall. Sorry but I never get to sit front row dead centre, maybe you do? At home I am always dead centre.
I search out unamplified musical events to use as a reference...they are few and far between usually chamber and jazz ensembles...and you know what they are bright and edgy, the trumpet and violins can be uncomfortably piercing, the kick drum is often a bit overwhelming and loose, the cymbals often dominate the sound uncomfortably...it is not syrupy smooth.
Perhaps accuracy is not what we are looking for..rather a sound that pleases and fidelity to pick the characteristics of the instruments, and finally speed and timing that excites??? That maybe why there are such differing opinions on equipment e.g.. tube vs SS....each to his own:)
I am now going to duck for cover.