Tubes or Cables to Tune Sound?

I say whatever works best for you. Since cables and tubes can affect the overall sonic in similar and different ways depending on your system configuration I think experimenting with both is the key.

I've had situations where changing tubes made almost no difference or a complete night and day difference. Same thing with cables. So it depends on which tubes and/or cables your comparing.

Here's an overly simplistic example. You could use Cardas Golden Cross with a super transparent tube or a full-sounding Mullard tube with silver cables? So it depends on what you have now.

In my case, I've found tubes I like for my DAC and tubes I like for my preamp, and I'm in the process of buying all new cabling.

However, if it's a decision based purely on cost I think tuning with tubes may be the best way to go.

Interesting thread, very well put Gunbei, a lot of variables, you could also borrow cables from the Cable Co. as another option.

do both.
Also consider that a cable change is more permenent than a tube roll. When a tube wears out, then you may never be able to replicate that again, "identical" spares notwithstanding.

Not to change the subject, but if a neutral cable is a cable that stays the same; since we cannot hear the system without cables; if someone is using a lousy cable, a neutral cable is one equally lousy.

Sugarbrie- Are you impling something here??