Tubes vs Solid State - Imaging, Soundstaging, 3D

Thanks Atmasphere for the comments - definitely jives with what I hear, and I would also urge you to continue your explanation you spoke of!

I also agree 100% with Frogman's comments on the "black background" thing. You have put into words something I have never quite been able to explain so succinctly.

Hi Mapman - if I may, Frogman's post of 10-22 explains quite well what professional musicians are missing when they listen to systems that do not have low level detail. It may be a very quiet system, but there is still information missing - some of the baby is being thrown out with the bath water. Most musicians would rather put up with some surface noise such as hiss but also be able to hear this low level detail - we work very hard at such things as Frogman is describing, and it is disappointing not to hear them reproduced. If you would like more explanation after re-reading, I'm sure he or I would be happy to try to elaborate some more.

Atmasphere, thanks very much indeed for your usual clarity of explanation. You have a gift for it; I have learned a great deal from you on this board - Al as well.