Describe ube sound vs solid state

Electroslacker,
I relate to your SS to tube transition, they just sound more natural and closer to live performers. This point was made vividly clear for me as I listen to live music in my home in my case a piano and the many live Venues I attend regularly. It just seems to be that solid-state is handicapped by its production of higher odd order distortion, it just makes instruments and human voices sound less real. There is a pervasive flatter leaner sound that just sounds incomplete to me, I know others have different experiences but these are mine. To use a food analogy, solid-state seems to present a more lite presentation where as tubes if designed properly deliver the entire sonic harmonic scope and picture in other words just more natural with the key ingredients intact. SS comes off as artificially processed by comparison. This debate will go on foreverer I recognize.

Charles, your definition is very accurate. I recognize every aspect you describe in a 'lousy' amp. However, I also observe the attributes you mention in ss. Not sure how that would compare to a great in my estimation tube amp.

Hi Csontos,
I believe you and others who say they hear the desirable attributes I described for tubes in SS, personally I have not. I admit my impressions aren't universally shared. I have heard good SS amps sound better than a number of tube amps. I am comparing the best examples I have heard from each camp. So far the high quality tube amps win the realism/natural title. Totally subjective of course but that is what I consistently hear. I appreciate Your different perspective.

Charles: FWIW, I recall my encounters with ss in analytical terms--"the Class'e seemed more solid, but the McCormack seemed faster," but I recall my encounters with tubes warmly as cherished experiences, and I don't compare one tube experience to another. This makes me think the tube experience was profoundly musical, free of checklists and ratings. This is only realized as I look back over the experiences. Perhaps distance is required to see the pattern, and I have little confidence I could discern this difference in the moment.

Electro slacker,
Well stated, when the musical listening experience is emotionally involving and realistic, the mental checklist is erased and you just sit there and get involved and engaged with the music. You express the gist of this contrasting experience well. There becomes no need or desire to have an analytical approach, just relax and enjoy. A different body response is evoked and it feels right, no mental dissection needed when the sound is more natural.
Charles,