2. amps-preamps
  3. 1264342155

Tubes vs. solid state.

I just switched back to my ss equipment and can't see how I listened to ss for so many years and thought that I had a good system, maybe the equipment needs to be left on for some time.
But regardless of that, the difference is startling. I know that my tube equipment is not the same degree of excellence as my ss, but now ss sounds lean, thin lifeless. Have my listening priorities changed? One thing I noticed; my listening perception adapts to the sound present in the room. As I write this the sound is improving incremently.
Anyone share the same experience??
I will post as I will continue to listen and notice differences.
Ss is simaudio p-5 w-5, tubes are Cj premier 4 amp and audio experience a2se preamp.
Are there ss preamps that will satisfy or am I smitten by bubes I mean tubes.
pedrillo

Showing 3 responses by olesonmd

olesonmd
5 posts
 
And the reason tube amps are loved by guitar players is that they overdrive them into distortion frequently. We all know about tubes even order harmonics when overdriven. How many of you overdrive your home stereo to get that classic distorted rock & roll sound that people like Clapton seem to enjoy so much?
I'm not arguing against tubes, but it's my position that they have a much more practical application in the world of guitar amplifiers than in home audio.
olesonmd
5 posts
 
What is the ultimate goal of any design, SS, or Tube? Is it not the uncolored and neutral/faithful reproduction of the original recording?
I will argue that any well engineered, well executed design will accomplish this goal. Tubes, as well as solid state designs, are equally capable.
In a press release a few years ago from McIntosh, the statement was made that their SS gear was superior to their tube equipment.
I own tubes, as well as SS. They are both very good.
olesonmd
5 posts
 
A little more fuel on the fire......

"A few music listeners still have the illusion that...tubed units are in some mysterious way better than present solid-state units. The overall superior performance of solid-state design has been scientifically proven...Anyone investing in a contemporary vacuum tube product will experience less than the best available performance."
source: McIntosh press release/TAS

"Had I performed a blind A/B listening test, I would have picked the tube amp as being solid-state, and the solid-state unit as being tubed."
source: Sam Tellig/Stereophile

"When it comes to tubes, you will only find solid-state in my personal system....and I manufacture some very good tube gear!"
source: High end audio manufacturer in Minnesota(no names, please)
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