how close in sound can a tube and ss amp sound ?


i have observed threads requesting advice regarding tube sounding solid state amps, within a price point.

i wonder how to confirm such a request.

in addition to recommendations, what about comparing a particular ss amp to a particular tube amp using an experimental design where bias, or preconception has been eliminated ?

has anyone tested the hypothesis that he/she cannot detect the difference between a tube and a ss amp, within the same power range, price point and minimizing interaction problems, such as impedeance mismatches ?

on the other hand if someone is seeking a tube-like sound out of a solid state amp, i would assume that one would use a "classic" sounding tube amp, e.g., cj mv 45, cj 75, cj 100, or cj mv125 as the tube amp and try to find a ss amp that is indistinguishable from the sound of the classic tube amp.

i have found that many ss amps differ with respect to bass and treble response from many tube amps.

in my own case, i would love to find a 120 watt ss amp which sounds like my vtl tube amp. unfortunately, i am not optimistic.

in other threads, some people have stated that it is impossible to find a ss amp that is "tube-like", in the classic sense.
mrtennis

Showing 3 responses by tmsorosk

In some cases very close . But who wants that . I went from solid state to tubes and back to solid state . Both have advantages and disadvantages , one is clearly not better than the other . Buying upscale equipment usually fixes the weaknesses of both .
Do you want to judge an amp on how it sounds when its clipping . If it clips at the levels your using it at , you bought to low powered an amp .
After reading all these posts I'm starting to think I'm the only one thats been buying the right sized amps . The only amp I can recall that clipped was 30 years ago , A very large Sansui receiver . I guess since then Iv'e been purchasing the right amp for the application .
Happy new year
Tim