Here is one reason for the sound...
Tubes always played through "transformers" before reaching the speakers. Its the transformer that could give that lush sound. For tubes can be lightning fast when not hindered at the outputs. We were hearing a transformer effect. Transformers have gotten better in quality. The problems with old solid state have been greatly worked out. If we could hear how the old solid state stuff sounded when compare it with solid state now? You would prefer the new solid state over the old SS, like one would have preferred tubes over the old SS. That lush tube sound is unnatural and is like listening to music being played through damping fluid. The kind of fluid used to make tone arms descend slowly. Some prefer the lazy tube sound. But its far from how fast real dynamic music sounds when heard live. IMHO
Tubes always played through "transformers" before reaching the speakers. Its the transformer that could give that lush sound. For tubes can be lightning fast when not hindered at the outputs. We were hearing a transformer effect. Transformers have gotten better in quality. The problems with old solid state have been greatly worked out. If we could hear how the old solid state stuff sounded when compare it with solid state now? You would prefer the new solid state over the old SS, like one would have preferred tubes over the old SS. That lush tube sound is unnatural and is like listening to music being played through damping fluid. The kind of fluid used to make tone arms descend slowly. Some prefer the lazy tube sound. But its far from how fast real dynamic music sounds when heard live. IMHO