high power tube amps vs ss

I have to tell you that this tube vs solid state discussion and other discussions are typically biased against solid state and towards tube. As I have mentioned previously in other posts, I have heard many excellent tube amps. But, I have also heard just as many excellent solid state amps. Good Design/engineering is just that. Take it home, plug it in and listen for your self. Some like the "tube" sound. I have listened for decades and I can tell you that what I usually hear is the specific design of the circuitry of the particular amp. I have heard tube amps that had terrible sound stage, dynamics, etc. Same with solid state amps. Some times it has to do with system integration or room dynamics or actual design of the tube amp. We can talk harmonic distortion till the cows come home. But, the real test is long term listening in your home on your system. If it works and you smile and you are "there", then that's it. Show me a tube amp that people say is really great and I'll show you a solid state amp that matches it or better it. It depends on the design/construction/circuitry, engineering of either. If I had the money right now, I would purchase two Audio Research REF 250 amps. I have heard them and they are incredible. Better than the best like priced solid state amps? Couldn't tell you since I haven't heard them. But, I'm not prejudiced. I know good design and engineering when I hear it or see it. What would be better is to have forums where solid state amp designers and tube amp designers sit and answer questions and discuss these issues. Then, you will have a more fair discussion and I guarantee that you will have better insite and information.

enjoy (no really, enjoy)

Minor1 said:

I know good design and engineering when I hear it or see it.

Not to be contrary, but unless I miss my guess, neither you nor anyone else has ever "heard" a "design". You may have heard a system based on a component whose designer made trade-offs and design decisions that ultimately yielded a sound that conformed to your aesthetic. Now when you say:

What would be better is to have forums where solid state amp designers and tube amp designers sit and answer questions and discuss these issues. Then, you will have a more fair discussion and I guarantee that you will have better insite [sic] and information.

I say, right on bro!!!

@ Swampwalker +1

Audiogon often seems a magnet for unique or differing perspectives on good sound. SS is old hat and boring. Does not attract much attention these days as a technology. Class D amps are newer and get a lot of attention here. Tubes are cooler and more unique these days, as is vinyl.

I'm working on building more appreciation for Walsh style speakers here on A'gon myself in that I believe Lincoln Walsh used his engineering experience with radar systems in WW2 to get dynamic speakers right while the rest of the world missed the boat. Pretty radical....

The odd ordered harmonics are perceived as sound pressure level comment is interesting to me. I recently switched from all tube amplification to a very good tube preamp and very low distortion and high current solid state amps. Musical transients are now much more impactful and realistic spls are acheived and not perceived as loud, (lack of odd order harmonic distortion?)Very happy with the results with one caveat. Using my sound meter I am now regularly listening to music in the mid 90 to low 100 db range and starting to get some evidence that I'm affecting my hearing. Maybe I was better off with the even ordered tube harmonic distortion satiety at about 10 to 15 db less sound pressure level and not going deaf. Go figure.