What barjohn said
Why is solid state more popular when tubes are better?
Yes tubes are more involved and require periodic maintenance. Hybrid tube components need not apply, these are really solid state.
Tubes are better for multiple reasons and yet the world and the trade prefers solid state. Those rare audio shops that are geared toward stereo listening and serious connoisseurs tend to Focus more on tubes. Those in business who like to improve volumes tend to offer solid state. All the YouTube channels looking to improve their business tend to be solid state. Maybe because tubes require much more expertise to sell, and there's lesser and lesser to go around. Solid state is more of a fast food commodity.
Tubes are difficult for businesses due to all the maintenance and complexity so you see it less often. Much much easier to sell hybrids or solid state.
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I have never heard SS Amps that sound anywhere near tubes. 1-Yes, that's my personal observation, 2-I have not heard at least 5billion of the ss options out there, so I can't say it doesn't exist, just that Ive never come across it. 3-I am willing to have my mind changed. I used to be 100% vinyl, but now my source is DSD and I chose it because it sounds analog without the hassle of vinyl. I was scared making the change but am so glad I did. Where I don't find any hassle worth mentioning is when talking about tubes, vinyl is a HUGE hassle and it was worth it to me before I found DSD, but I don't consider tubes any hassle at all. The fact that ss is chasing and maybe catching tubes shouldn't be held against ss. By chasing tubes ss is admitting that it is were the goal is but I don't see anything wrong with them chasing better sound, nor do I think it is impossible for them to reach their goal, or as some has said, have already reached that goal.
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@barjohn There is far more to it than just this. What is being ignored here is the simple fact that two decades into the 21st Century this is still a conversation. In any field, when a superior art appears (such as solid state), the prior art vanishes. As an example, no car manufacturer makes a flathead side valve engine anymore- overhead valves offer greater reliability and performance. But for some reason, even though tubes were declared 'obsolete' in the 1960s, they have persisted for over 60 years. That's longer than when they were the only game in town. Its not just that 'people like the distortion of tubes'. There is far more to it than that. What is keeping tubes around is that people don't like the distortion of solid state (which manifests as harshness and brightness). I've explained all of this, plus a solid state solution (because this really is all just engineering; there's no 'magic'), earlier in this thread. |
- 251 posts total