@luvharbeth +10
Mike
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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Tube equipment may sound as good (Tubes do have the potential to create a lot of noise), but they also get HOT, and that's usually dangerous in households with kids and pets, or ME! Additionally, the initial cost of tube equipment is generally significantly higher than solid state equipment. Nonetheless, tubes have definite appeal. I was going to buy a very pricey McIntosh tube amp, but the thing was so big and heavy it wouldn't fit in my Solid Steel rack! Instead, I bought the latest model Rotel 1592 MK II and it has been great. It runs cool, has plenty of power, sounds clean (Class A/B) and has a tone bypass plus individual bass and treble controls, which I find enhances the sound of recorded media significantly. I should also mention that it was priced thousands less than the Big Mac. Would I have "preferred" the McIntosh? Perhaps, but I have no regrets with purchasing the Rotel. It does the job very well. It also has lots of connectivity options that the Mac does not.
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I am amazed that so little of this discussion is about the music. In my experience, tubes vs ss, tt vs digital, separates vs integrated... In all the examples, the closer to perfection in design/build etc., the closer to perfection in musical reproduction. When we refer to ss sound, tube sound, vinyl sound...we are referring to the imperfections introduced by gear. And hey...end of the day, some cardboard with magnets make the music. It is all a wonderful illusion. That's not actually a symphony orchestra is it? |
@moguls +1,000! |
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