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Tubes vs. solid state.

I just switched back to my ss equipment and can't see how I listened to ss for so many years and thought that I had a good system, maybe the equipment needs to be left on for some time.
But regardless of that, the difference is startling. I know that my tube equipment is not the same degree of excellence as my ss, but now ss sounds lean, thin lifeless. Have my listening priorities changed? One thing I noticed; my listening perception adapts to the sound present in the room. As I write this the sound is improving incremently.
Anyone share the same experience??
I will post as I will continue to listen and notice differences.
Ss is simaudio p-5 w-5, tubes are Cj premier 4 amp and audio experience a2se preamp.
Are there ss preamps that will satisfy or am I smitten by bubes I mean tubes.
pedrillo
dividebytube
50 posts
 
I was a tube guy for years n' years - built my own (SE and PP) along with modifying plenty of vintage pieces. I had no positive experiences with solid state, having been disappointed with Adcom, Marantz or any solid state pieces.

That was until I tried some vintage Threshold gear - the S/500 and FET-10 linestage / phono units. They do sound 'different' than tube gear. I liken the difference between 35mm film (tubes) and LCD (solid state). With my Magnepan speakers and the Threshold gear I'm happy as a clam and have no urge to go back to the fussiness of tube gear.
samzx12
883 posts
 
I mainly prefer tubes somewhere in the system. I love what they give to the midrange. With that being said, I am also enjoying my solid state Cayin 265Ai Class A integrated amp right now. It takes about 2.5-3hrs for it to warm up and sound its best but once it does it sounds so 3 dimensional and sweet :)
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I'm glad somebody started a tube vs. solid state thread.

It's a long time coming.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
Bill,
Thanks for the laugh!
rleff
1,065 posts
 
I have had both;the only solid state amp(s) I really enjoy are my jeff roland model 6 monoblocks;on the tube amps I have owned the cary slam 100 and audio valve challanger 180 monoblocks are my best performers driving soundlab m2's.I can see both sides of this question but for me the tubes best the solid state.
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