SS versus Tubes

Great topic raised with and(so far) discussed with class. Seems like we all agree IN GENERAL that while SS may be more "accurate" to the source, tubes can make a recording sound more "real." So the underlying source of the issue seems to be in the recording itelf.

Let's think about this for a minute. In the recording studio we take the complex, multi-dimensional sounds from instruments and vocals along with their interactions with the room and between each other and attempt to capture all this information with some microphones. It is then conveyed through God knows how many feet/yards/miles of some kind of cable into some sort of analog or digital recording device. A master is created and millions of copies are then made and distributed.

I think as audiophiles we would all agree that along each link of this chain some of the magic of the original performance is lost, so is it any wonder we look to our components to try to get some of that magic back? Thus the argument for tubes, which I have experienced and thoroughly understand. But, for me, I also have an internal flag that goes up when I sense I'm not getting what went into the microphone--something is being transformed, maybe for the better and maybe not. This is bothersome enough to me(even if it makes something sound more "real") that I'll often take the sterility of solid state over the euphony of tubes, especially on very good recordings, which brings me to my point.

I think the new formats(SACD/DVD-A) are going to serve to blur the lines more between good SS and good tube equipment. The reason I say this is I have heard on my admittedly revealing SS system the 24/96 DAD releases, and the better recordings that were originally done in the hi-rez format have a smooth, soulful, and lifelike quality about them that reminds me of what I found attractive about tubes(and vinyl for that matter) and why I dislike the majority of CDs.

Final point. If we're using tubes to recreate some of the "thereness" and the new formats are more capable of conveying that information from the software side, then might we eventually begin to prefer a more accurate reproduction of the recording rather than an enhanced interpretation of it? Keep in mind these new formats from both a software and hardware perspective are in their infancy and will improve dramatically in the coming years, so as impressive as it may be now(at least the better recordings on the better equipment as it stands) it will only get better from here--much better(remember the early/mid 80s CD recordings?).

My guess is that as these hi-rez formats evolve and improve, so will the electronics evlove with them. So I believe the tube and solid state gear will get closer and closer in their portrayal of the recording because the recordings will provide more of what we're looking for, thus demanding more accuracy and less interpretation. In short, I think the need for the warmer, more bloomy side of the tube world will shrink and many former tube owners will switch to SS--eventually. I also think there is something to the tube magic that may be more accurate and that SS may never capture, so I do think tubes will continue to survive and prosper, but on a smaller scale in the long run. The good news is, whether you choose tubes or SS, the quality of reproduced music is about to improve significantly for all of us.

Anyway, just wanted to add an opinion from a solid state perspective and introduce some food for thought with respect to the future. Thanks again for a great topic.

Tim

There is a great article in the current edition of listener Magazine by Harvey rosenberg the gizzmo.Read it it makes alot of sense and answers some hard questions about the differences between tubes and ss.

Excellent thread, Redkiwi, and some thoughtful posts too. After living for years with solid state and being gradually weaned into hybrid and then full tube designs, I guess that my feeling is that solid state will more faithfully reproduce the signal that it is given, thus giving a better rendition of the recording, but good tubed equipment more faithfully conveys the emotion of the musical event. The line between the two has been growing more blurred in recent years as the solid state designs get better and better, and Acssavings makes an excellent point that the new digital formats and better recordings may have something to do with that. I have compromised a little and use solid state amps for the bass in my 4-piece system (their better control and power down in those regions may actually do a better job in conveying the emotional content of music in that region), but I don't think I'll be changing to it on the midrange/highs any time soon.

I never had the opportunity to own a Tube Amp and the only reason for that is that I live in Brazil and there are no official retailer and support services for such equipment down here. I always heard that the tube amps needs more care on its handling and have a bigger possibility of needing services than the SS ones. Is that true?
My speakers are the Martin Logan Aerius i, and lots of people told me that the ideal amp for driving them would be the Tube ones.

One thing that solid state does not address that tube gear does and that is the owner participation of it's sound and performance. There are those of us who like to have a hands on experience with the equipment that we use. Cleaning inputs and dusting sometimes doesn't get it. I know the main goal is to listen to music more than anything but some people "get off" on tube rolling and comparing differences which sort of gives the tube lover a sense of personal involvement in the overall performance of the gear they use.
I guess you can draw similarities between the person who really likes the feature heavy electronics. It gives you a sense of musical control over your system as well as something to talk about when you have company over. To some this may seem silly but it is indeed very important to some folks.