In light of all the hi tech hi end solid-state creations with all their fancy circuitry it's surprising there has been no discussion comparing the merits of tubes and solid state or hybrid (whatever the heck that is, I mean where did draw the line in terms of how many tubes are used before you say hybrid). I say this because really good recordings can be really screwed up by very sophisticated highly revealing overpowered sound recreation boxes. A big clue to me is how fatiguing it is to listen to music sometimes and I never remember it being this way many years ago.
In my eyes the best systems have the simplest circuitry with the best parts and I am leaning toward the tube side which tend to be more old school and less harsh. I've always viewed all the solid state fancy circuitry creations as a way to torture the delicate analog signals. I've never understood why a very reputable manufacture can offer an upgraded component that all of a sudden has found a way to improve dozens of things within their boxes. Really? And why now?
b&w speakers have undergone all kinds of technical improvements and I am perplexed as to what the heck they r doing? And I own some B&W speakers I like them, the newer ones seem dreadful.