differences between tube and solid state designs

I just cannot go along with this notion that I hear repeated all the time, "The best tube and solid state amplifiers seem to be converging in sound."

Personally, I've more or less yet to hear a solid state amplifier that can make me happy. They just do not instill the flesh and blood into the music that a good tube amplifier can. The higher end solid state amplifiers' offer "more" in most cases - more power, more low frequencies, more high frequencies, more clarity, etc., but still seem to miss the mark for me.

For what it's worth, I'm not enamored of the direction that the high, high end tube amplifiers are going, either. From what I see, the trend is towards bells and whistles like flourescent screens and overly complex biasing and checkout routines. I have no interest whatsoever in the direction ARC and VTL are trying to push the market.

Give me a great sounding, simply designed tube amplifier, and I'll be happy. I'll make sure I have a decent multimeter and screwdriver on hand, and at somewhat of a regular interval, bias it myself. It takes a bit of work, but it's a very, very small price to pay. I haven't heard anything come along that sounds better yet. Not that I'm not willing to listen to what anyone can put forth, if there were solid state amplifiers that suited me, I'd be running one.

Well said Trelja. There's a reason the VW Beetle worked. Simplicity.

Tube amps are like ss amps, there are a few goods uns among the bunch.
I did not like CJ nor ARC's, nor Rogue's

Trelja,

I think you nailed it perfectly describing what tubes can do better than solid state. I do enjoy systems based on solid state amps, but NONE can, so far, deliver what a good tube amp can deliver.

Unfortunately, there are a lot more BAD tube amps than good tube amps. I don't know why people buy those huge, high-powered tube amps that attempt to deliver the kind of power that can more easily be delivered by solid state when they give up all of that "breath of life" that tubes deliver (note: I am not referring to OTLs).

I think that the "convergence" a lot of people talk about has to do with the taming of the obvious negative qualities of solid state sound (brittleness, edginess, etc), but, to me, what is left is sound that is flat and lifeless compared to low-powered triodes.

I have had SS and now I have tubes. I recently obtained a pair of Quicksilver V4's and in my system and they combine the best of both. At 120w they have power but also the tube characteristics that I like. I can't wait till they break in fully.

BTW one of the things my wife laughs about most is the need to break in a multi-thousand dollar before it sounds it's best. Oh and she does admit after listening that she likes the Quickies more than my SS amp or the other tube amps that I auditioned.