Tube or solid state

Hmmm...That was a little confusing @pindac .

@roxy54 The point being the challenges / arguments or ideas, that can develop about the equipment selected for use are endless, forums are filled with this type of content, there is not a ubiquitous method in use from all who enjoy the replays of recorded music.

The experiencing of a musical encounter comes in a variety of methods, and the entertainment value will vary, depending on how the experience is designed to be created. The enjoyment of being present where there is music to be heard will always prevail.

Even if from a Radio in a Car or Alexia.

I prefer a solid state amps, mono blocks, and a tube peramp. The solid state amps provode tight an solid bass and clarity while the tube preamp warms and softens the sound and takes the harshness out of the cd. 

@charles1dad …”People simply like what they like.”

Very good point. Folks attracted to high end audio do not share a common end point. Some, simply want their system to sound better to them… which, who knows what that means… recreating a college party experience… a concert they heard long ago. Also, if you like one genre of music you will get pulled in a certain direction. Some, no direction… just it sounds better. Some folks try to recreate the sound of live music.

With all these end goals, it is not surprising companies have sprung up catering to different values. I chased former college / ethereal electronic sound for a ten years or so… my test records would sound better… but lots of my albums would sound worse (jazz, classical, rock). I started thinking… “well, what does the real thing sound like? So, I found out… I hung out at acoustical jazz concerts, stopped when I saw a piano player and listened, attended hundreds of classical concerts.

This completely changed my objectives and direction. With each step, all music sounded better (well, except electronic) and over time my system sounded completely outstanding… real. My system now sounds better and more real than going to the symphony (they put in a DSP sound system, which ruined the sound… not all just positive on my side).

If all people had the same goals as I do, then most systems would sound very similar and the design goals of manufactures would be the same. But since they are not, they are not.

There is also the Designs in place where the Aesthetic of the Product, carries a substantial proportion of the costing, placing it at a marketing level that will be referred to as a High End sector of HiFi.

Have a look under the hood and the circuit design will in many cases be discovered to be a mediocre affair, and not too inspiring to somebody in the know.

A Brand and Attractive Aesthetic, can for some, make the sonic produced from the replay 'seem to be' a very refined presentation. Assessing / Listening with the eyes, is only one part of the discipline required, when evaluating equipment being demonstrated.