Hello again @ghdprentice! While you are of course correct in your explanations of Tube vs Solid State, your admitted bias shows! You list the pros of tubes and the often found negatives of SS. :) And yes, it does take money to get amazing SS, but I would mention you have found the good stuff in tubes as well! My addition to your post would be more possible negatives of tubes, that being NOISE or hum, which I found in my initial forays into tubes and could not abide, and rolled off highs. That, and the caretaking and replacement of tubes is daunting to many. I would love to hear you system and share mine with you!
The difference between tubes and solid state that I am finding
I'm still a newbie when it comes to tubes. I have had the McIntosh C12000 preamp (with Moon 861, Eversolo A8, and Focal Sopra n1s) for awhile now. It is very enjoyable. I noticed when switch between Tube amp and Solid state mode the difference is very subtle. But when I do focus on it, I notice:
Tube sound: More open with a slight blossom sound. Maybe slightly more holographic. A pretty sound.
Solid State sound: More exact. Instruments seem more there and defined. More in my face. Bass hits harder to. But not as open and airy.
As far as brightness, I wouldn't say ether one is more softer than the other... the brightness seems same on both.
Am I correct in this is how the differences between the tube/states differ?
I really enjoy both modes.... but I think the solid state one gets me a little more excited.