Is there such a thing as tube sound in a ss?

Some say that certain "digital" amps have a tube-like sound. With a digital amp the characteristics of the amplification devices, be they tubes or transistors, are out of the picture, and the sound will depend on the amplification algorithm. This makes it possible to create sound to order.

I don't know what advertising genius ever got the words "digital amp" and "tube-like" in the same sentence. My experience is that digital amps have a unique sound, but are not at all tube-like. My Wyred 4 Sound certainly does not sound as good as (for example) the McIntosh tube amps I have demo'd. That said, the Wyred 4 Sound costs a lot less to purchase and maintain and never threatens to blow up when it is turned on.

hi alremc:

i have auditioned many solid state amps and have visited ces many times.

i have never heard a tube sound from a solid state amp.

however, it is helpful to define "tube sound", as definitions may differ among serious listeners.

Do you mean AUDIO RESEARCH REF 110?
The VS110 is an out of production model and not even as good as the older VT series, imo. My oldish VT100 amp has great midrange detail with the right CD player (I use Krell KAV-300). It gives a good balance of detail and musical energy - very suductive and fun to listen to.

The newer REF 110 is really a hybird design and some have suggested it sounds more SS than tube, but I have yet to demo one- hope to soon.

No offense - but you might want to ditch the ML's- i find them to lose allot of detail at any normal listing levels.

Mcondon...The CarverPro ZR1600 amp (I have three of them) was described as "tube-like" by various reviewers when it came out some years ago. The ZR1600 uses the TriPath module, which audiophiles are not faniliar with. (It's all ICE and sometimes Hypex).