Why did you lean one way or the other

My fifty year journey has been from completely solid state to completely tubed equipment. In each step the natural and musical soul was more revealed. As the midrange bloomed, the rhyme and pace got better, creating an emotional connection that is virtually impossible to create with solid state without attenuating the treble. 

With my system now the music draws me in and I find it incredibly difficult to listen to the system. 

Over the years I have gone SS to Tubes and back again. I still have a tube system upstairs and as of late I have been really enjoying my Canor AI 2.10 that is a hybrid that is fabulous. Rave reviews and for $4000 new it is a steal. Picked my unit up on the secondary market for $1500.00 it was less than 2 years new. https://www.canor-audio.com/canor-ai-2-10

Probably college experiences. I just found myself moving away from some and finally settling on women. 

I started with solid state, although I liked the sound of a good tube system whenever I heard one.  About 10 years ago I bought my first C-J stuff.  I have updated as C-J has introduced new models since then in my primary residence.  Early this year I replaced the system in our second residence and here the system is solid state with a class D amp.  It is all good.  

Tubes are needless me to cos all the magic is in my music and my speaker’s ability to reproduce that magic to the best of its ability.

I am not going to play random number generator with my amp.

I have indulged in the tube thing and all it did was falter at getting out of the way and let my speaker shine. (that is also my fault for getting high output impedance tube amps)

Speaker impedance relationship means I do not want the amp altering my speakers FR so near 0 output impedance amplifiers with high damping factors are what I strive for and thankfully solid state amps are tremendous at that in the 21st century

No reason for me to not have both; like many, I use a tube preamp and a SS power amp and have for many years. 

I’ve flirted with tubes then moved on. 

I've had a tube preamp and solid state amp for around 30 years.  My systems before that were solid state.  A Yamaha amp and preamp.  Then an Adcom amp and NAD preamp. I bought an entry level c-j tube preamp and an entry level solid state Coda amp.  I liked the combination better than all solid state.

I've had higher end c-j tube preamps, but ended up with a less tubey Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp.  I liked the Coda amp, so I bought a new Coda amp about two years ago. 

I'm really not tempted to try a tube amplifier.  But, I haven't heard many, so who knows.  They do seem to be high maintenance.  The tubes in my preamp last a long time. 

My solid state progression took from Technics to Yamaha, to Hafler to NYAL to Distech.  Once I tried a decent tube amp, I experienced an inviting textured holographic clarity and depth I hadn’t experience before and never looked back. 

My once stock Dynaco 70 amps have now been modified a couple of times, and I did add a solid state B&K amp and active crossovers to the woofers below 60hz to get  the benefit of the extension and bass slam that SS amps offer, but otherwise I still absolutely love what I’m hearing from my tubes.  

I tried tubes.  BHK from PSAudio.   I had noise issues.   Tried Audionet SS pre and amps.  Never looked back.  Amazing.

For me, the tube preamp defines the emotional color of the sound and a great SS amp delivers that uncolored to my speakers. 

I made a thread today along these lines. I was never a tube guy because I like my music to have as much detail as possible. However, the past 4 days I have had a tube DAC in the house that has an OTL output stage that is supposed to be conducive towards a clean and detailed sound. After listening to it I am all in on this tube DAC because it gives me then most detailed sound I have ever heard but also has a holographic tube sound. I did not think that combination was possible.

I have posted many times on A’gon how much I love the solid-state Schitt Yggi+ OG DAC. Well, this tube DAC is better but way more expensive too.

I had a VAC Pre amp and VAC Amp for many years. I even for a while had a VAC DAC Mk II. I moved away from that 20 years ago but kept the other two. About 3 years ago I became frustrated with constant repairs and down time so I moved away from tubes. Also my VAC Amp weighed 140 pounds and I cannot lift it anymore. My son had to help me box it up. I am now all SS front to back and I am happy. Maybe some day I will play with another tube amp. I am getting really good sound right now.

When I first got my system it was a Turntable + McIntosh C24, Mc240 and older Heresy’s (with REL subs).  When I sent the C24 to be refurbished I purchased a vintage Technics SU-8600 as an integrated replacement.  Something was missing.  I couldn’t figure out why the music was less engaging.  I then paired the SU-8600 preamp with the Mc240 and something happened to the bass that brought me back in.  After a lot of listening and reading about systems and getting my C24 back I realized that the mid bass bloom is what I’m really drawn to.  Ultimately I swapped the C24 for an Mx110z and ended up all tube.  I love the sound, but am not convinced I’ll stay here forever. From what I’ve read, it sounds like there’s a lot to get down with on really good SS gear.

I had never experienced a tube amp in my system until 1999. Once I heard that sound I knew it was what I wanted. I was almost exclusively a tube guy, with the exception of a stint with some Maggies, after that. But I came across an SMc modded DNA 0.5 a couple of years ago. After sending it back for another round of mods, I was absolutely floored by the sound. It's good enough to not miss tubes, and that's mighty praise indeed.

+ several on tube preamp & SS amp. Love the NOS tube rolling on pre. 

I have been into audio for 45 years, the last 25 of those has been with mostly tube gear.   

Overall I have had great luck with minimal fuss.  I've had tube gear from vtl, cj, Sonic Frontiers , Anthem , Zesto ...  most of it has been great.   

In 2023 I wanted to set up a second system,   I had several pieces of gear displaced from my main rig.    A Vault 2i, REL sub, and a pre and amp.   

It was starting to take up too much room so I ended up ditching the tube gear and bought a Cyrus i7XR amp.   

It was such a great sounding amp I replaced my speakers and now have a system that is compact and sounds great.    One button to power up  instead of 10 boxes to turn on , this system gets a lot of use .   Makes no sense to power up a bunch of tube gear to listen for an hour or so.   

When I do have time to listen for an extended period I'll fire up the main rig .

Had several very good SS setups including Chord, Luxman, Sansui & Tandberg all with great success. The 1st piece of tube gear I bought on a flyer was a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 and it was "on" with tubes for me from that day forward. I am today using a tube amp, preamp & DAC with my only SS piece being a Simaudio Moon phono stage. To me, the entire tube biasing, rolling & exotic tube hunting is all fun and keeps me engaged; like record shopping still does. I do prefer tubes and have used Aesthetix, Audiomat, Shindo, Line Magnetic, Canor among others & each time I move to a different tube piece has been a solid step up in most every way. Just my experience but not going back to SS anytime soon 

I just read the enjoyable thread on streamers with displays. It seemed there that most thought displays to have limited value. Despite ours being an auditory hobby, there are, however, valuable visual elements. Enjoying what @soix referred to as "baubles on a bull" is a lovely facet of hifi pleasure. In addition to their sonic characteristics and how they appeal to the ears of one afficianado or another, tubes may also have a visual appeal, glowing like ... something on a bull or his mate, and letting us regress in a psychoanalytic fashion to the oral stage of development in which we enjoyed bliss at our mother's breast. (Hoping not to be banned from Audiogon for comparing tubes to Freud's cigars.)

I have had almost any possible combination of SS & tube gear over the past 30 years.

In the 90's all tube stuff. Audio Note (UK) 1 and Sonic Frontiers DACs,  CAT SL1 and Audible Illusions Pre, MV52 , VAC 85/85, Ren 30/30 and 70/70 amps.

My first SS device was the Esoteric X-03SE CD player.  In terms of resolution this was an ear opener, there was a level of detail and transient response that the Theta Data & older tubed DACs could not find.  DAC technology was, of course progressing rapidly.

After retiring to VT in 2014 I simplified life to one system only, the VPI Scoutmaster with Koetsu Black,  X-03, CAT SL 1, VAC Ren 30/30, Audio Physic Virgo II.  Everything else was gifted or sold except for the 70/70.

The CAT then started playing up and the repair cost was estimated at a 5 figure sum.  I switched to the Sutherland Duo, and a passive pre amp feeding the 30/30.  So a hybrid setup.

This setup revealed more from the vinyl and digital sources.  The SL 1 sounded wonderful, but, with hindsight it seems it edited the sound.

I then had the opportunity to get an (NOS) Esoteric K-01XS for a great price and gave the X-03 to an impecunious friend.  At about this time I read reviews of the Benchmark LA4 and have used that ever since.  Another level of purity and space to the sound was achieved.

Then the 30/30 started making ugly noises and to this day I have been unable to get VAC to agree to service it, I was also getting tired of retubing every few years and even though I had just installed a quartet of WE 300Bs I installed a Pass Labs XA 25.

I also added an Aurender N100SC digital front end.

Now I am 100% SS, and very happy with the sound.  Somewhere in this saga, I forget when, I had replaced the Virgos with the Atria IIs.

Then I got an email advertising a deal on the (standard) Elekit TU-8900 kit.  Fun, lets have a go.  I had the WE 300Bs so just needed the ECC82s.  

I switched the XA 25 for the SET amp.  Wow, so that is what it's about!

I was clearly giving up on a level of resolution but there was an organic integrity to the sound.

Then I got an offer on a TU-8600 with the Lundahl upgrades.  Another level up, so I decided to upgrade the 8900 with Lundahls and high end coupling caps, and to try 2A3s. This recovered much the resolution and space.

More Wow.  I moved the 8600 to my 2nd system which is DMP A8 digital, TU 8600 amp, Harbeth P3ESRs.  And the upgraded 8900 is now my main amp.  

That amp now has NOS Brimar amp/drivers and RCA Black Plate 2A3s (or, sometimes WE 300Bs).

I have wandered on through my journey but at this time I am finding a hybrid system.  SS up front and an SET Tube power amp gives me the sound quality that I am looking for.

Started with class a/b SS, moved on to class a SS, then to push pull tubes, next to SET. My experience with tubes and reliability is the higher the output the more heat and issues with reliability, heat not good for reliability. I still dabble with ss from time to time, purchased Pass XP22 pre and while it was nice not quite there in my setup. 

As much as this is about tubes vs ss, speaker, amp interface is the final arbiter equipment wise, the right tool for the job. Beyond that its listener preference, I've always enjoyed the added texture and color tubes (2nd order harmonics) bring to the presentation. Also prefer the way tubes sound stage and image, slightly less defined image outlines. 

Having said this, I've heard quite compelling presentations from both tube and ss systems, if I had the funds and room I'd have at least two reference systems, or perhaps three or four or five or whatever. 

They both have their merits, it's great to make your own choices.  If I had another decent room, I'd have one of each.

I prefer the detail of a SS system as well as not having to worry with tube paranoia.  The downside is that it has taken a significant amount of time and trail/error to get my system dialed in.  I prefer to be able to discriminate between good/bad recordings and enjoy hearing detail in tracks I have listened to for years that I never heard before.  Some with expensive tube systems say they prefer it because it makes even bad recordings sound good.  That seems counterintuitive to me but an example of what makes this hobby so interesting.

Another tube-pre SS-power person. There is also a visual part to it. In case of tube and SS gear of equal sound&price, I will lean towards tube for esthetics. I also like the idea of fine tuning sound with tube rolling.

+1 NOS Tubed pre and SS amp

Just to chime in, my journey is simple. I have been an audio guy for sixty years (hey, everyone needs a hobby), and finally gave in to all the hype about tubes. I first bought a tube preamp. That helped! I have used a solid-state amp (Classe Audio DR15) since the 1990s, but saw a pair of Manley Mahis for sale shortly after reading the glowing review in Stereophile. They were right, there was a huge difference, especially with vinyl. So, now I listen to mostly vinyl despite the large price difference vs. CDs. My speakers are Sonus Faber Electa Amators. My listening room is small, so I listen in triode mode as it’s all I need to get the sound I prefer. I only wish I had made the leap earlier!

THe problem with the best tube amps out there is that the people who still mostly might want them can’t even lift them anymore.  Or lift the speakers needed to perform with well with smaller tube amps (even worse).   It’s like 80-year-old + technology at this point that is still going.  Compared to modern technology, which is cheaper, lighter, smaller and in general outperforms the old technology.  That’s how technology works.   It gets better over time!  Kudos to tube amp vendors like @atmasphere who experiences this stuff firsthand, didn’t let sentiment for the past cloud judgement, and took action to offer competitive alternative products using the latest and greatest technology.  Smart man!

Having said that I still think tubes are very cool looking devices which helps keep them going.   But for how long?   Plus most tubes and materials used to make them are imported and will cost even more with tariffs moving forward.   FBOFW.

I've tried to sell myself on tubes and have spent a fair amount of time with Octave, ARC, VAC, etc., and liked Octave the best. I don't have much experience with low power amps, high efficiency speakers, which I think is a different beast. The tube amps I've heard are well built and produce a pleasant sound-something I could be happy with if that was what was available. The tube amps I've heard were pleasant, but not natural and lacked a bit on the bottom end. I landed in a place that, to my ears, produces a more natural, honest sound throughout the spectrum. I think its simply a matter of personal taste-no right or wrong. Some take their coffee black, some with cream and sugar. To me that's the difference. Ultimately, I think its more important to have a competently designed, well built amp and preamp.

tube DAC in the house that has an OTL output stage

@yysantabarbara OTL refers to 'Output TransformerLess' and so applies to 99 44/100ths of tube preamp and DAC outputs. 'OCL' might mean they are using an output transformer. 'OCL/OTL' would mean no output coupling cap or transformer (direct-coupled, like our preamps).

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I've told people for nearly 50 years if I could figure out how to get the same sound of tubes with solid state I'd do it in a heartbeat. It actually took about 5 years of research once I realized it was possible. So now I don't worry about a tube amp, although I do see tubes as fun, but in no way as musical as what I have now. 

This post has been an interesting read! And it's somewhat restored my faith that we CAN have civil conversations around here. Ahem... 

I've been playing with hi-fi for 50+ years. From my brother's hand-me-down Dynaco SCA-35 tube integrated to several SS integrateds. It wasn't until the 80's that I could afford a used ARC SP3-1A to go with a pair of Hafler DH-220s that'd I'd built. That setup kept me happy for years.

Then a few years ago, being a life long ARC fanboy, I stumbled on an SP11 Mk2. Wow, what a step up! Then came the VS-110. While it doesn't have the ultimate bottom end of the Haflers, that midrange and upper... Ooh-la-la! 

Within the next year we should be moved and I'll be able to set up my pop's Jadis gear. Can't wait for that! That said, I'm likely going to go bi-amp and use SS for the bottom end for that system. Thus will begin another hunt. 

Happy listening.

The only tube stereo gear I ever had was a Citation III-X tuner.  I've progressed through four SS preamps and 3 different SS amps.  Once I decided that dipole speakers were the way to go for my listening room, that eliminated the possibility of most tube amps.  Although I strictly relied on tubed guitar amps through that same period, I never wanted the extra expense, hassle and room temperature of having tubed monoblocks for my stereo system.  Climate change has made it necessary for me to install an air conditioner in my listening room, and I wouldn't want to use it more to compensate for the heat generated by tube amps.  My AB SS amps just get slightly warm.

Good stuff.

My personal journey: Been at this for over 50 years and first dabbled with a tube DAC and ARC tube pre-amp about 15 years ago, posting regular here ever since (so my journey is very well documented :^) ).   Was hesitant about tube power amps for the usual reasons, so I decided to go for broke with Class D at the time, Bel Canto ref1000m monoblocs.   That combo had a nice 10 year or so run. More recently, I decided to take the next step, first with a newer Ncore based Class D amp then late last year with a brand new GaN based design power amp and a Schitt Freya SS pre-amp to replace the ARC sp16 tube pre-amp.   That’s where I am currently....best place ever!   Still have the Ncore in a second system...also still very nice!   

As one member nicely summed-up "For me, the tube preamp defines the emotional color of the sound and a great SS amp delivers that uncolored to my speakers".

I went from a Cambridge SS to a McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier and the tubes up front really took music to another level.  It was more emotionally engaging. That almost changed when I sold the McIntosh and bought Accuphase separates. At first I was disappointed and lost the "magic" of the tubes. I hated myself for what I did.  But then as my system broke-in the music came to life and I find that emotional connection I had with my McIntosh.  Things improved even more when I added an Accuphase standalone DAC replacing the DAC card that slides into the preamplifier.  Yes there are times I miss the tubes but my Accuphase class A amplifier with Accuphase's preamplifier and DAC deliver a richer and smoother presentation which I'm really enjoying. So matching components is fundamental to SQ.

I see you have LaScala speakers.  I love my LaScala AL5. The tubes on the McIntosh helped tame the LaScala's exuberance. Likewise, my Accuphase A-48S Class-A amplifier smoothes this out and I'm getting a more refined sound.  

My mother had a tube amp when I was a kid. I loved my Panasonic Tau tube TV but there were no parts when it broke. My wife grew up with tube amps too. She has banned them for our present system. We have Ice Module amps. 

For me it's always been about experimentation and finding synergistic pairings in my gear. I never really set out to go tube or SS in particular. I just try everything that looks interesting and see what works for my tastes. Sometimes that is tube based, sometimes solid state, sometimes hybrid. 

Right now I've got a Lampizator tube DAC and a Unison Research hybrid integrated. I love the sound they make together. I don't think it's necessarily just because of the presence of tubes or not, just the designs of these particular devices that hit the spot for me. 

One aspect of  tubes that helped lure me in is that late night or early morning glow... 

I went from tubes to hybrid to SS to find the right synergy with my Harbeth 40.3's. I landed on the T+A PA 3100 HV. It is a high-current design meant to sound tube-like, so I'm told. 

But I have a tube DAC and a Tube Phono stage. 

So you could say I lean both ways:)

I’ve had tube and SS gear.   Synergy is everything.   Sometimes it’s tube and sometimes it’s SS.   I’ve kind of landed on my next system as tube pre and SS monoblocks,   Synergy!  YMMV.

I've gone back and forth with Tube and SS preamps, over 30 years, and will probably continue to do so...I enjoy the strengths of each...ARC, Jeff Rowland, Pass, BAT ...

Started out with SS, McIntosh for amps and pre. Then moved to Audio Research tubes in pre, amp, phono but the game changer was the Nagra Tube Dac with separate power supply and Grimm MU1 streamer.  Finally settled in with SS Burmester reference amp and pre-amp as well as phono stage. Still have the Nagra Tube Dac and Grimm. What I love about going back to SS is the speed of the bass and the overall soundstage. Primarily listen to Jazz and Rock. 

@mapman

Re: moving stuff!  The weight of big power transformers + OPTs can be insane at 81 years old.  But my SET TU-8900S is half the weight of the Pass Labs XA25.

I find it interesting that more hybrid leaning systems are tube pre + SS power, I do not have a "modern" tube pre to try this with - at least one that I can lift.  There is a CAT SL 1 Mk II sitting in a box, just needing a pair of 12AU7s, but my back could not allow me to try to lift it!

The "keep it pure" up front then roll tubes to color the sound in the power amp seems to work.

Why did you lean one way or the other?

l never have as never delved into anything else.

l asked a friend of mine, an old farmer why he always leaned to his right, was it an old farming injury, a hip or knee wearing out?

He replied, “No, l have one leg longer than the other”

A similar experience happened in the shop l managed when said farmer came in one day, noticed another guy leaning to the right beside him as he walked up to the check out. The farmer said, “Have you got the same problem l have?”  The other guy looking surprised said, “Oh!”…. “Have you got a wooden leg too?”

I've tried tubes but eventually went back to SS. Easier, low maintenance and they don't take forever to warm-up. My class A sounds just as good to my ears.