Hello, I agree with you’re opinion about most of the tube amps made today. This is happening because designers know how to make tube amps sound more accurate than the designs yrs ago. Also, many parts like capacitors made today are cleaner and better sounding. Another factor is the type of power tubes being used today in comparison to the past. There are some companies that still make musical sounding tube amps. Like Canary Audio and Consonance. For me, I still stick with power tubes I’m familiar with and are known to be musical. 300b, EL34, KT66 amps etc.
Why don’t tube amps sound like tubes anymore?
When I hear the latest tube amps I’m more reminded of what a solid state amp sounds like than what I remember a tube amp once sounded like. I say that, with most tube amps I hear today, but not all. Gone seems to be the lush tones, warm glow and natural harmonics I used to hear. What I hear is more of a thoroughbred, faster, sharper sound when I listen to a modern tube design today. Then why use tubes?