For very low signal they are much easier to keep things quiet than using tube amplification. I am a big tube fan. I do use a tube line stage. Ralph Carsten has commented on this before
Sound quality is different. Not better, just different. From a practicality standpoint, transistors trump tubes every day. Lower power, longer life, lower noise (usually) vs. tubes.
Is a particular transistor phono pre better or worse to your ears than another tube phono pre ? That's a judgement call between you, your ears and your wallet.
Tube phono stages are going to more susceptible to RFI if you are near a radio tower. In other environments maybe no issue, but when I lived 1000ft away from one, four or five tube phono stages all gave me trouble. SS phono stages all eliminated the radio signal that rode along with the music and could be heard between tracks and during quiet passages. For years I've stuck with tube line stages and ss phono stages and am happy with the approach. Cheers, Spencer
SolidState has more accurate imaging and more precise. a well designed Solid state preamp,or phono stage if using very good parts quality thecapacitors resistors and a transformer based unit can sound very Tube like and have lower distortion , but at a cost $$. I sold both, Vacuumtube is less complex to build and tubes has a more forgiving nature. Matching your speakers, cables, electronics has a Big say in final decision.
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