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 4 responses by jjss49

@danvignau 

point taken

you are not a dedicated audio research tube amp lover unless you listen wearing a racing cool suit :)
@stringreen

you called it right on SQ string...

best of breed tube and solid state are very close now, and ever converging, because they both provide superb frequency extension, transparency, drive and imaging - they have just come from very different baskets of strengths and weaknesses

but stuff at this level is quite expensive still for the regular guy
+1 on

bass control and depth and slam

i assume you are asking about TUBE AMPS, not tubes in general anywhere in the chain

VERY speaker dependent