Tubes vs Solid State - Imaging, Soundstaging, 3D

Michaelkingdom,
You have the right approach, just continue to listen to a variety of amps. If
SS suits you better, go for it. There's definitely no right or wrong with either
type of amplifier.

Mel, your response is bewildering to me. I don't understand the persecution
complex and the defensiveness, come on we're just discussing audio. It
shouldn't have to be so emotional and serious to get you this upset. I
sincerely appreciate your comments and different opinions.
Charles,

Something that isn't discussed nearly as often as the tonal qualities of good tube amps is the way that tube amps handle dynamics; particularly micro-dynamics. While I can't claim to have owned any of the very top ss amps, I have owned several very decent ones (Levinson, Classe, BEL, PS Audio), and have heard some of the uber-highend models in others' systems. To my ears, the tube amps that I have owned (Berning, Audio Research, my current Manley's, and even a rusty old Dynaco) exibit a certain sophistication in the way they reproduce dynamics. There is less of the "stepped" sensation that I hear from ss oftentimes. I hear a seamlessness when going from soft to medium soft or from very loud to loud (for example) that let's the expressive aspects of a musical performance sound more realistic. There is more of a sense of the music being alive.

Hey, where is the talk about musical preferences in this discussion? It's always fascinating to me when discussing gear there is no reference to me, the most important part of the equation. Would a person that is passionate about Beethoven, Mahler, Bruckner or large scale music choose an SET amplifier? Or conversely would a mainly jazz lover choose a SS Boulder, Burmeister, amp? There are so many variables that haven't been touch on concerning aspects of music presentation, tastes and listening preferences aside from the points raised, all valid and important. Typical of most of these threads, there is little to draw from and little to gain for the casual observer other than a battle of wills and passion, I love that part.

Melbguy1, Frogman made a particularly illuminating point. Although you're arguments are articulate in showing a degree of intelligence and experience, they are less than pursuasive and are clearly defensive. Is this about music reproduction, or is it argument for argument sake? My question to you is what is your EXPERIENCE with tube pre and amplifiers and what are you trying to achieve in your system, in other words what are your priorities? I would ask the same of your antagonists but I don't need to, they have expressed them on other threads but they might want to chime in, I think for the purpose of the discussion it is very important. Please don't take this as demeaning your choices, it is definitely not meant to be. For one, I really like the attributes of both technologies but am trying to gain a greater understanding of why you are so adamently in favor of SS. I personally have found some tube gear that has the absolute attributes of SS while retaining the attributes of tube gear. I personally haven't found this with SS although it very may well exist. Not all tube and SS gear is created equally, there are too many variables. I recently had a friend that sold off his well regarded tube gear in favor of SS. His reason? Tired of the maintenance of tubes. How is it working out? Time will tell but I will say he gained some things and lost others. Me being a tube guy, everything in front of the speakers have tubes, he will have time to reflect on what he lost and what he gained, he currently has NO tubes in his system. I've already got it figured out, maybe he does too but is just not ready to admit it.

To me, and for the record I love all variety of music and want to hear as accurately as possible what is ON the recording, the devil is most definitely in the subtle details and that is the most damningly difficult part of this hobby. To me it isn't about tube vs. SS it is about connecting to the musical message regardless of what technology is preferred.

As far as 3D imaging is concerned TUBES at the lowest end of the price spectrum and the highest are to my ears more convincing to answer the question.

Melbguy1 your statement in regards to Wolf's tube preference: "your example of most guitar amps being tubed is not relevant as they are not required to carry large amounts of current"
My Sunn 2000S Bass amp does not agree with your statement. Although VERY "conservatively" rated at 120 Watts, it is gluttonous (!!) and the more clean unobstructed current the better as observed over many years of testing in real life situations.

there is no right or wrong here. Life is full of compromises unless you are embarrassingly rich.. you just have to understand within what you can afford to spend what your compromises are. I have heard the Modwright integrated amp (SS)with the Modwright Oppo 105 (tube mod)... that's a $9k solution that seemed a good starting point for a tube and SS compromise with speakers of your choice.