The difference between tubes and solid state that I am finding

In the recent years I have as a result of experiences had been left with information that has been indelible and enforced a rethink a out my lomg term commitment to Valves used in the Audio System.

In a non owned system depending on how it is heard assembled, when with Soulution Amp's is approx $200K. 

Listening to this system as above and subsequently using 211 Valve Power Amp's was of real interest, as either was an exception experience. 

Subsequent to experiencing the above, a SS Neurochrome Power Amp' was put into service. 

An Amp' cost 25 x less than Soulution and 12 x less than the 211 Valve design. 

The SS N'chrome was very very special it was not only parity in good impression made, as a voicing it was as attractive as a Valve Amp', but not a Valve mimic End Sound. 

I have been instrumental in others adopting SS N'chrome Amp's, where to date I have heard all Models and Modified Designs as well. 

These have been heard in a range of systems where other SS Amp's or Valve Amp's are in use. Speakers used with the N'chrome are ranging as £70K Field Coil Horns - Quad ESL' s various models - Cabinet Speakers up to £15K.

Never has the N'chrome not shown how impressive it is at aiding a Speaker produce a impressive End Sound. 

My own System is using 845 PP Mono blocks and a SET 300b. 

A SS N'chrome amp' is now loaned to me and to be used in the owned system. 

This can be used with a Analogue and Digital Source, along with three different Speaker types. 

Using prior experiences, I remain very confident very good impression will be made with either Source and selected speaker. 

I've always used a solid state amp. My current preamp and the two before it were tube.  The previous preamps had great warmth and that tube glow. Some music sounded fabulous and some not so much.  My current Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp is not as warm sounding, but it does a good job with just about any recording that isn't a crappy recording. 

Given the vast array of choices, from tube or solid state to sources, analog or digital (and within either one, the additional choices of drive system, tonearm, cartridge or transport, format and DAC), speaker-amp interaction, subwoofers and overall set up within a given room, you begin to realize how much affect an overall system’s "voicing" plays a role in the results, leaving apart the quality of the recording, which can vary considerably. 

To me, the hardest question is one which I cannot answer- that is, a grand or unified theory of system design that addresses all of these variables. The experienced listener knows it when they hear it, but beyond that, how predictive can you be without listening to a given combination of components in a specific room to know what sounds more like real instruments (that also raises the subjective aspects of listener preference/bias).  This also takes time and evaluation on a range of material- something that really makes a difference in a positive way can have a negative aspect-- e.g. increased clarity which brings greater stridency on some material. 

I came up during the beginning of TAS and the notion of evaluating how closely audio gear could replicate the sound of real instruments. I don’t listen to that much symphonic music anymore, but still listen to a lot of small combo jazz, recorded using acoustic instruments for the most part, without a lot of post production. I also know what different pianos sound like, having owned and played a variety of larger instruments. Those are my measuring sticks--for heavy rock or other genres, it is often a question of scale (how "big" the reproduction is before it sounds "forced"), dynamics (similar-do you hit a "wall") and congestion (does the system lose its coherence when things get cluttered in the recording). 

One of many "tells" to me is the acoustic "envelope" of attack and harmonic decay which may be most evident on a piano though that instrument may be one of the most difficult to faithfully record. Seat time and exposure are invaluable. 

I agree with many here. It’s subjective and everyone has different tastes, preferences and experiences. I am reminded of this saying, “We see what is behind our eyes, not what is in front of them”.

I agree with celtic66, “Like finding the right Monet”. A brilliant example.

Here ya go!

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