Don't sell your tube amps

I am a Tube Amp' user for more than 30 years.

During this time I have been demonstrated quite a selection of differing Tube Amp designs and SS Amp designs. Until approx' 10 years ago I will have stuck with my being a firm believer in the Tube Amp as the only Amp to deliver on my audio needs.

Over the past 10 years this has changed, I have encountered SS Amp's that have seriously impressed and I have made these known to others. Some have even adopted models to use in conjunction with their passion for tube equipment.

I fell out of being a loyal devotee of SS Phon's and have adopted Tube Designs, more recently I have been introduced to SS Phon's that I believe are extremely attractive and worthwhile considering.

My Tube DAC has got my full attention and other long-term digital users who have heard it in use are thoroughly impressed. Some of these are now going through the process of acquiring DAC's utilising Valves in place of other used designs.

Valves are here for quite some time, but they do not any longer need to thought of a sole route to a very attractive presentation that is the anti-thesis of certain SS Designs. 

@oddiofyl

I also have no plans to sell my 300b or Mid Monos

You aren’t the only one. The impending demise of vacuum tubes is overstated in my opinion. Tubes and transistors can coexist just as digital and analogue manage to do.

Charles

I agree with Mr Charles. Very succinct statement. 

Mine are all vintage/restored, so I plan on keeping them. I have been buying NOS tubes as backups. Interesting article but right now I’m looking for the “old stuff” 1960s and 70 RCAs, telefunkens, Amprex, etc. and it’s like “get it if you can.” I would be also be interested in listening to the new tubes from Western Electric, also I’ve heard of new solid state power tubes from Soundsmith as well. 

Had differnet ss amps (Burmester 956 mk2, Krell Evo 302 among others), hybrid too (Pathos Inpo 2) than bought amp/premp, single ended in A class, just to try the all tube system. Nos tubes, better caps, new Tkd potentiometar made significant sound upgrades (together with carefull and rather ’top’ choice of cables everywhere) of rather inexpensive combo (some 6k eur new). Of course, have a very good digital source (Burmester 089) The sound I got from it was perhaps the best I’ve ever had, but everytime I put some other tubes than Nos, the sound would change enough that I did not enjoy it as much. So, that left me worried for a time that I would not have any more chosen tubes to get. At first I thought to get even better tube combo, but I wondered if I would face the same ’problem’, not to mention the price and availability of tube these (and future) days. So, I changed the tube combo for Burmester power amp again (the ss whose house sound I prefer the most). Will buy their preamp as well, aldo I will try some tube ones as well. Bottom line, for me the tubes have something ’more’ that even the very good ss cant match entirely, or perhaps it can, but with costly gear. The plus side is, I guess, ss allows you wider choice of speakers and more hours of listening (with ss I sometimes put music even if I have just a half our of time to listen, something that I never did with tubes) Also, the heat of tubes in A class was enough to prevent me from listening music thru most of summer days. But, in a ’perfect scenario’ I would choose tubes every time. Pity that world goes in other direction. Never tried D class amps, very curious about ones from Atmasphere