Switched From Tubes To SS???Glad You Did???

I can not say that I have extensive experience with either. ( parasound, classe, arcam for ss. VTL and CJ for tubes) To my ears I always prefer the sound of tubes. This was evident at a dealer demo as well. A high priced McIntosh SS vs a cary SLI80. The SLI80 blew away the Mc. Don't even get me started about the Nagra 300B integrated with Verity Amadis (Holy sound stage batman!)

I've gone from SS to tubes to SS to tubes. I think I'm going to stay with the tubes for a while. Current system is CJ amp and pre with Thiel 2.3's

and the debate goes on!

I had the oppertunity to go from tube to ss amp and pre. When I hooked up the ss there was just no comparison. Tubes rule. ML vs Cary was the test. My friend and I swapped out amp and preamp and he wanted to keep my tube equipment after hearing it. I'm not knocking ss, it can sound great, I just prefer tubes, even though it is more work.

Switched from EAR 864/Primaluna Prologue Five to Luxman L-505f. I miss just one thing: Soundstage depth. What I've gained is coherence, precision, less fatigue (yes, less!), simplicity of use. I'm still satisfied with my choice.

Changed my old headphone amp (woo audio/tube) for a solid state, cant go back now.

In this hobby for over 25 years now and have gone from:
1. all SS electronics
2. to various SS amp/tube preamp setups
3. to various tube amp/tube preamp setups
4. tube int amp
5. back to various SS integrated amps
6. to a gainclone/SS preamp
and now currently have a tube amp and SS preamp. And I've concluded:

I like tubes the best. Whenever I have a SS setup, I'm never content and want to change but whenever I have a tube setup, I'm always a lot more content and keep the tube setup for a lot longer. I've had a few different tube setups that lasted over 5 years without a change, while a SS setup never seems to last more than a year at most until I'm ready for something different....So tubes definitely rule, at least for me and single ended over PP too...

But its all about system synergy....not many people have commented on the specifics of what speakers are being used with what gear and that could lean one in favor of SS or tube gear depending on the associated equipment.