Tired of Problems with Tube Equipment


I switched over to tube audio equipment in some form some years back, and have certainly enjoyed music played back through them. I have had amps, preamps, and DACS at different times utilizing tubes. One unfortunate thing that's been common to all the tube equipment I've had are problems. It doesn't seem to matter whether the manufacturer is large or small, built in the USA or overseas, they all have had problems. Capacitors blowing out, bad solder joints, tubes only lasting a short time, loud pops that mysteriously go away on their own, etc. Although I have enjoyed the sound (and that beautiful glow!), I am starting to get tired of this and thinking of going back to solid state.

Have any of you also gone back (or thought about it) to solid state for this reason? What has your experience been with the reliability of tube equipment?
smeyers

Showing 1 response by joc3021

Amen. I have also become somewhat anti-tube. Have owned a lot of tube gear. Negatives: They make a lot of heat, they start deteriorating the minute they're installed, they can be expensive to replace and it's a hassle.
The best solid state gear is so well engineered today, and it will perform consistently for years, I just don't think there's a strong argument for tubes anymore.
One man's experience and it is ultimately a matter of taste (like most things audio).
Julian