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For anyone who moved from tubes to solid state — a question

I'm the happy owner of a fairly new tube preamp and monoblock amps. I love it and have bought new tubes. To have another option for warmer weather or possibly a second listening room, I got a very good solid state integrated. I've run the tube preamp with the solid state amp and it sounds quite nice. I love all tubes, too.

But this question is for you. Please forget the convenience factor for a moment, including the issue of tube replacement etc. Also, forget about those cases where you bought new speakers and needed more power, etc.

Assuming you had quality tube gear with sufficient power — here's the question if you abandoned tubes for SONIC reasons:

What what is that tubes couldn't give you?
What did your solid state gear do for you which was so much better that you divorced to marry anew?

I'm curious about what people list as the positive sonic reasons they love solid state (including A, AB, D, etc.).

Thanks.
hilde45

Showing 3 responses by asvjerry

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,884 posts
 
I grew up with tubes. Enjoyed them while that lasted...

SS ’occurred’...initially, laughable. But the technology grew to a level of maturity that first matched, then blew past ’valves’ and their inherint weakness. "Rolling tubes" ought to be a clue, but it’s a hobby.

Ya gots the ’Trads’, the ’SOTAs’, and the Big Middle (or Muddle, if you like)...

The incandescent bulb begot the fluorescent begot the LED.
Each has a longer lifespan and reliabilty of service.
Tube>transistor>integrated circuts>?
Class A>AB>D>?

The one thing we can count on is Change.
Some do...Some don’t...Some like both....or all.

Each still has appeal, it comes down to what you like....like your speakers, your home, your spouse, your f’n underwear for that matter.
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,884 posts
 
"Made in China".  OMG! *L*  Yes, that would launch an entirely separate line of 'discussion'....

It sometimes seems like anything audio that hails from 'the Far East' (to use an old romantic phrase) is suspicious, as the Chinese are born without ears (smooth on both sides!) like proper automatons....🙄

Obviously, that renders them tasteless and unable to discern 'proper audio....*tsk tsk*  The poor devils....

It is astounding how much of the current items that drive civilization forward come from our Chinese breathern.  And that consequence drives them as well, as with nearly all other nation-states...

But, as long as there's a desire to have Ferrari performance at the price of a Yugo....
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,884 posts
 
...and then there's the paradigms of amp choice and the speakers it drives....

There's been a lot of waxing wonderous of 'this' driving 'that'...and it generally is tied to the tube v. silica...which, is really actually rather special, imo..

The SET that can make this driver sing like a lark....but driven by SS type anything will make some prefer to have cellophane crushed around their head....

The SS that makes that driver sound like the sax solo is getting etched into the backside of your skull....but it feeeelss  sooo gooood.  Swap...

...and you'd rather have a root canal anywhere but your ears.

It's real subjective....and even then, subject to your listening den/torture chamber.....

The jury's still out on hybrids as far as I can tell....

The 'Everyamp for Everyone'?  Or the 'Nothing for Nobody'? *L*

A 3 position switch: T/SS/STS ?  Any love/hate/meh relationships out there?  Curious minds are nosy...*S*

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