Golly. I’d find the prospect of reading that ultra-long thread daunting. I’m not saying that it doesn’t have value and that you won’t learn from it, but when I started reading it I began to have many questions. Frankly, I found the number of amplifiers swapped in and out incredible. It made me wonder about the conclusions that are thrown out in that thead. In my 66 years of experience there are often caveats and nuances that are hard to convey.
I suggest you start with some fundamental research - there’s a wonderful, easy-to-follow, easy-to-understand white paper on the SandersSoundSystems website titled something like "tubes vs. solid state". I encourage you to read it. There are many factors that determine how a piece of equipment will sound and one of the most essential elements is the synergy of the system into which it is placed. A second factor that should not be overlooked is *expectation*. It is possible to COMPLETELY ENJOY what you have and not upgrade anything. It is also possible to upgrade a piece of equipment, or multiple pieces of equipment in a system - all to highly rated, highly regarded stuff - and find yourself so anxious about the process and anxious about the stuff that you can’t even relax. Your worry ends up robbing you of perceiving whatever the equipment is able to convey.
Chasing better sound can be fun. It can be expensive. It can be frustrating. Patience, a willingness to disregard the conventional wisdom and "authoritative reviews" or the paid reviewers can be helpful. Also, a humble willingness to learn is helpful.
One thing I have learned is that a high quality preamp an make a huge difference.
Good luck in your efforts! and Best Wishes!
I suggest you start with some fundamental research - there’s a wonderful, easy-to-follow, easy-to-understand white paper on the SandersSoundSystems website titled something like "tubes vs. solid state". I encourage you to read it. There are many factors that determine how a piece of equipment will sound and one of the most essential elements is the synergy of the system into which it is placed. A second factor that should not be overlooked is *expectation*. It is possible to COMPLETELY ENJOY what you have and not upgrade anything. It is also possible to upgrade a piece of equipment, or multiple pieces of equipment in a system - all to highly rated, highly regarded stuff - and find yourself so anxious about the process and anxious about the stuff that you can’t even relax. Your worry ends up robbing you of perceiving whatever the equipment is able to convey.
Chasing better sound can be fun. It can be expensive. It can be frustrating. Patience, a willingness to disregard the conventional wisdom and "authoritative reviews" or the paid reviewers can be helpful. Also, a humble willingness to learn is helpful.
One thing I have learned is that a high quality preamp an make a huge difference.
Good luck in your efforts! and Best Wishes!