How do you add color?

@arafiq Thanks for a nice thread. Enjoying it!

For now, I’m thinking of trying a tube preamp with my SS amp.

I really enjoy going back and forth from non-tube to tube preamp with my Pass XA-25. At first I enjoyed a preamp with an 12AT7 tube input (2 tubes). But once I tried a 6SN7 tube, I sold my first preamp without any regrets. If there's a good match between preamp and amp, you may hear what I did: a really inviting, smooth, more spacious soundstage and a midrange that really draws you in. Seductive is the word. Of course, there are many differences between systems, but those who love the 6SN7 used these types of descriptions and I found them apropos even in my room, with my speakers, etc. 

Call it what you will, but certain components can "mold" a sound that can be more enjoyable to some people. and less enjoyable to others.

Tube pre-amps, specific pre-amp tubes, R2R ladder DACs, cables, and speakers are all going to "mold" the sound. Some people are more sensitive to sibilance or brightness (I am one of those people) so I much prefer copper cables over silver, R2R ladder DACs over chipsets and Delta Sigma, Amperex and Mullard NOS tubes versus new production, and more laid back speakers (Buchardt Audio S400 MKII, Tannoy, Fyne Audio, vintage Infinity RS Kappa 7, Thiel, and Joseph Audio (though others may disagree there).

The sound I'm after is something I can listen to all day, provides detail without brightness, has great imaging and soundstage, is fun, and provides good immediacy without hitting me over the head with it. The journey continues

@vthokie83 +1 with your description of what you prefer (so well said) - this is extremely close to my sound preferences, but I’ve never been good at articulating. 

Audiogon Friend Request sent!!!

“Timbre, texture, tonality is what helps you get emotionally connected with your music.”
+1000 @arafiq well said! And both SS and Tube components are equally adept at delivering these qualities. The rub lies in one’s ability to identify such components and able to put them together into a system that connects you with the music at much deeper levels. 

I use a Crayon Amplifer for color, tonality, timbre and texture.