Tube Vs. SS Preamps

In one of the old Vacuum Tube Valley magazines I remember reading an article about the supposed advantages of tubes vs solid state audio. Among several listed reasons for tube gear "sounding" better was that tubes emphasize even order harmonics, whereas solid state emphasizes odd order harmonics. 

My experience is the sound is different.

My initial systems were entry level SS and I acquired McIntosh C2600 tube preamplifier - it was a dramatic improvement.  Using an analogy the music was clearer - I could easily hear specific instruments in the context of the song and had a better sound stage of where the musicians were playing.

I've also heard very good SS preamps.  I recently auditioned one as I consider upgrading and evaluating a pure linestage preamp with separate phono stage.

Listening side by side to a series of songs, the sound was different from the McIntosh and to my ears it was 'clearer' and frankly my first concern was would the sound be irrating so I played some songs where there could be harshness.

Ultimately, I think the difference is the audible nature of distortion.  SS can have much less distortion and a whether tube or SS a well designed tube preamp uses the distortion within its sound singature. 

You are asking the wrong question.  What tubes offer that SS cannot compete with is space.  You hear a soundstage where vocals and instruments have their own space.  While this is a generalization, that is the difference between many reference level comparisons.  While some like the 6H30 tube sound, to me it sounds SSish so in my experience, then just get a SS components.  The real question is what are you looking for from your system and in what price range.

Once you know what you are looking for then you need to audition them.  Take your time and enjoy the search.

Happy Listening.

In fact, you ask others to describe the sound which you never heard, I will say it is very difficult. Usually on the forums,they all have some kinds of listening,and above of that,they exchange the comments.

I know your question,which is : After so many years listen on SS amp only,you want to explore something new,and see if the tube sound is better for you. right?

If that is the case,you gotten go and listening by yourself somehow and go back asking the question. That is the normal procedure,in my opinion.

"... the supposed advantages of tubes vs solid state audio. Among several listed reasons for tube gear "sounding" better was that tubes emphasize even order harmonics, whereas solid state emphasizes odd order harmonics"

Nelson Pass on two of his SS amplifiers: "It is perhaps not oversimplifying to say that the [Pass Lab] XA25 has a 3rd harmonic character and the [First Watt] F8 has a very 2nd harmonic personality," -- https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-43-first-watt-f8-power-amplifier-page-2