For anyone who moved from tubes to solid state — a question

@ hilde45, You answered your question, in the last post. To many factor are responsible for a sonic difference to be pin down to one thing.  Change ss amp to tube amp, tube amp sounds better? Is it the tube, that sounds better or the tube circuit. Tube circuits are different then (ss) circuits. I have tube amps and SS amps for that reason. To many variables. And atmasphere is right about (DF.) :-)

so glad noromance is around to be a translator for oldhyvmec

@ditusa
Maybe you are right. I wasn’t sure if it was a question that even could be answered but I know that audiophiles are the kinds of people who compare things quite often and frequently try to keep track of the variables.
If this is an impossible comparison then knowing that is a positive piece of knowledge that I am open to, but it seems like lots of people here have some experience of comparison that they think is relevant.

Even an imperfect comparison gives some information -- unless, as you are contending, there are too many variables to learn anything from the comparison. it seems like you are asserting that no one can truly claim to know anything with confidence in their comparisons.

I’m agnostic about what other people think they know.

@mapman: Certain that no maintenance is needed; had the amp back to Jon about two years ago...just to check bias and evaluate overall performance.  He made a minor bias adjustment and declared it "operating perfectly."  

And remarkably, the tube amps are a tweaked Williamson circuit...a 73 year old design!

Yep, exceptions to all generalities!  Modern may generally be better, but not always!

Cheers!

I think it is possible to compare specific tube device A against specific SS device b, and make generalized assertions about how to best apply each type of technology, but have to be careful about generalized comparisons of tube versus SS gear in general.

The good ones are all in the same league and might win on any given day. There are more of those these days perhaps but certainly some older designs can still compete as well.

So just to complicate things even further, Class D SS amp technology is yet another whole new ball game and in general a much bigger threat categorically to tube amp technology than old fashioned Class A/B SS amps based on my experience to-date..

Class A SS amp technology is also always the other legitimate and more traditional challenger to tube amps.

Myself I would likely only consider using a tube amp with very easy load speakers to drive and high efficiency is desirable as well to be able to achieve higher SPLs from fewer watts.

Main reason is at my age I am looking to downsize if anything and keep it as simple as possible.

YMMV.

Then again, tubes glow and are way cool to look at. Been fascinated by them since just a kid.