Why is solid state more popular when tubes are better?

I find myself convinced by much of what @atmasphere says.

I was lucky to be taught tube design at university (due to the non-retirement of an aged lecturer). In other labs I manufactured ICs!

Tubes have a lot of strengths and it’s quite possible to design reasonably accurate line-level amplifier stages using them. When it comes to power amplifiers, the need to use a transformer to effectively convert lots of volts to lots of current, creates many manufacture challenges, especially at very low frequencies. It’s also hard to avoid relatively high output impedances, in which cases, the sound can eb affected by the speaker’s impedance curve and every instance will sound different (but not, strictly, accurate).

The low cost and size of silicon and germanium devices means it’s economically possible to use 10 optimised devices for the equivalent of a singe tube - which can be compromised though having to do "too much". One approach is to use a 40+ tube amplifier, but even the most enthusiastic supporters find that a bit difficult to imagine :-)

@hilde45 and @mahgister go out on a parking lot and settle it. Oh and record it for TikTok and send us a link. 

This is a fair comment and I regret being partially responsible for the dialogue. My apologies to Mahgister and to forum members. People can read the substance of the exchange and form their own opinions but I agree it went over the line. I'll do better.

If on the fence, or not, do what I did…a big bold SS (vintage Crown DC 300 no less) with 5 foot tall 4 way vintage Infinity speakers in the BIG room (20 foot ceiling) for the big bold punchy party rock and roll and get the party started! Then when time to wind down, retreat to the smaller room, fire up the SET tubes into a pair of Klipsch and relax with low volume highly resolving jazz or singer songwriter vocals and chill till morning.

Different rooms, different systems, different music choices…best of both worlds.

Cheers!

@emergingsoul 

"multiple reasons why tube sound better? It probably is due to how harmonics are handled.  Don't tubes impact harmonics differently, ie, provide more emphasis throughout the harmonic range in ways solid state does not?  This is possibly why tube's provide a Fuller sound at lower volume."

This falls a bit short of "multiple reasons".

Anyway, to answer your rhetorical question - no, tubes don't "provide more emphasis throughout the harmonic range in ways solid state does not".

Tube power amplifiers tend to have higher levels of musically consonant harmonic distortion than SS amps do. However, that is a broad generalisation which I only mention in the context of your statement/question. It is unwise to attribute a sonic character to any particular technology because there are far too many variables involved in sound reproduction to distill them down to any particular technology.

Regarding the marketplace, SS amplifiers are more successful because they run cooler, do not have fragile output devices and are generally cheaper per watt than tube amplifiers - especially where high power outputs are required.

Thanks Hilde45 ...

I prefer to be your friend by the way... Because i appreciate wise and intelligent people... And you are one... You are not completely faulty because i reacted with quick temper...

i wish you always the best...

This is a fair comment and I regret being partially responsible for the dialogue. My apologies to Mahgister and to forum members. People can read the substance of the exchange and form their own opinions but I agree it went over the line. I’ll do better.