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Solid State to Tubes and Back Again

I've been reading a number of posts where individuals have gone from solid state to tubes, and back to solid state again. I'm curious about some of the reasons why.

Could it be a cost (tube replacement) and maintenance issue?

Could it be convenience (change of space - living arrangements), or is it simply because of the preference for solid state over the tube sound?


Thanks in advance for sharing.
hawk28
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Before I had air conditioning, I sold all of my tube gear in the spring of each year and bought solid-state stuff for the summer to avoid the heat, and because I listen less in the summer, and more casually as well. Now, with A/C it's all tubes, all the time. But I do switch to an EL84 integrated amp in the summer to still save on heat a bit.
schipo
1,267 posts
 
I think its an age thing. The younger you are the more likely you are to want tubes. And as age and retirement creep in who the hell wants to play with tubes with there price. When that money can go for what men of older age need the most? A hot car for the younger chickie pooes..
bwp
114 posts
 
Being audiophiles the grass is always greener on the other side until you get there. I think going back and forth is just part of the process of figuring out what really floats your boat, no inherent problem with either type of amplification they are just different.
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