I like Almargs explanation - clear, concise, and responsive. But, for a broader view, I really like Bob Bundus comments. For me, they represent a seasoned view on the subject of system synergy, i.e. getting it to sound as you would like it.
FWIW I hung out with the spec's crowd when I used SS stuff. But it was clear (and frustrating) that all similar spec'd amps don't sound the same when you put them in use, if for no reason other than how it interfaced with your speakers and how they interfaced with your room. Eventually I learned that the best starting point in selecting an amp was to contact the speaker manufacturer and ID the amp he used in the speaker design process. I figured that was as close to 'neutral' as I could expect to get, assuming the speaker designer had neutrality in mind when the speakers were created.
Once that level of neutrality was obtained I got my color upstream. Then I found tubes ......:-)
FWIW I hung out with the spec's crowd when I used SS stuff. But it was clear (and frustrating) that all similar spec'd amps don't sound the same when you put them in use, if for no reason other than how it interfaced with your speakers and how they interfaced with your room. Eventually I learned that the best starting point in selecting an amp was to contact the speaker manufacturer and ID the amp he used in the speaker design process. I figured that was as close to 'neutral' as I could expect to get, assuming the speaker designer had neutrality in mind when the speakers were created.
Once that level of neutrality was obtained I got my color upstream. Then I found tubes ......:-)