Solid State vs. Tubes - What if Transistors came first?

In addition, I have found that SS amplification requires more attention to power supply/AC quality.  Cable design is also more imperative toward maximizing sound quality with SS components.  Either technology can deliver pleasing results.  One thing that has always seemed to consistently sound better to my ears, was the use of Class A or high bias A/B high current designs.  Large power supplies also seem to offer better dynamics.

That is what I, kind of, thought, too. The point between tubes and SS ends up being no point at all, if we are trying to reproduce the actual live event. Too many other variables get involved. To start, unless it is classical music, even "acoustic" one does get through some mode of electronic processing almost all the time. Not while playing guitar at home, but any venue bigger than a living room or so. Chasing some sound with tubes or transistors does not do much for actual reproduction. And that is for live performances which are maybe a smaller percentage of music sold. Who on Earth knows how something was supposed to sound in that studio half the world away? Good news is that these days it is getting to electronic sounds anyway so we do not even need to talk about "more natural".

My previous post was because I happen to have been at that particular Leonard Cohen concert and that song was the highlight of the evening. I remember it really vividly as does probably everyone who was there. There is no way that any equipment at home would reproduce it. Tubes or SS. First someone has to built a sports arena and then damp it with a few thousand people and their winter coats. Traps, corner contraptions, and first reflection things just would not cut it. Until that happens, it is all just babbling, I think. Otherwise, I think SS is much more convenient as it does not require changes. Just like automatic transmission is. I am not sure about cables etc.

erik

Nice post. I guess we have solved the controversy.....have we not?

Analog recordings are almost non existent nowadays.  I have heard great DDD recordings and analog...so much goes into the final mix.  Why argue anyway?  We have both available for our needs!  Enjoy what moves you.

Class A also consistently sounds more pleasing to me. I would not dare to say it is more natural, believable, or something like that, but it does tickle me right. So does "loudness" button more often than not, I sheepishly admit.