Tubes vs Solid State - Imaging, Soundstaging, 3D

I suspect our ears "dynamic level response" characteristics are not linear and are not able to detect subtle loudness differences at very low volumes as well as at louder volumes in general, so higher volume levels on average in general associated with "higher noise floor" enables hearing more subtle details in teh lower volume portions of the music/signal.

"Loudness" controls that used to be quite common on audio gear were designed with this in mind, especially in regards to how our ears are less able to detect similar volume level differences in bass frequencies in particular at low levels compared to higher.

That would be an "enhancement" of sort that tweaks the music loudness level to map better to how the ear responds to similar loudness variations at different levels. Not necessarily a "natural" or "accurate" thing, but something that can have a lot of appeal to those seeking to hear subtle low level volumes differences, but probably also at the expense of hearing simialr differences at higher levels in that the overall dynamic range of our ears is fixed, only how it is used can change.

It would be similar to how various contrast stretch type algorithms, linear or otherwise, may be applied to imagery in order to better bring out different details in different brightness ranges in different ways.

I would expect that tube gear with higher noise floors in general would tend to "play better" with our ears based on this model as described. A "sonic enhancement" of sorts to better utilize the real non-linear dynamic range of our ears.

Whether or not this is more "accurate" or even whether that matters or not, is another story. Beauty is in the "ears" of the listener.

Ralph, Frogman and Pryso,
Goods points about differences in general with tubes and transistors. I
mentioned in an earlier post the relative artificial sound of some SS amps.
The over emphasized image outlined sharpness and precision along with
the ultra black/silent backgtound just doesn't sound natural to me. With live
music there is more blending and mixture of the different tones and
overtones which gives a more rounded sound that's very dimensional and
full rather than a razor sharp focus and 2 dimensional leaness(hifi). I
understand that some consider this a desirable audio attribute but it comes
off as a contrived, less realistic presentation It deviates from what you'd
actually hear with live musicians. Live acoustic instruments are so rich,
colorful and very vibrant, no way would I want to diminished this vital
musical information. To each their own as long as you're happy.

Look at this at another angle. If there were a solid state amp out there that gave me those sonic attributes that atmasphere or charles said I'm sure most tube users would go the ss route. I have not found it yet and I'm talking about at any cost.

Dynamic range compression devices like the old DBXs used to be popular to produce similar effects in particular at lower volumes with higher noise floor off of typical SS.

i would think a SS amp could go for a higher noise floor and similar dynamics if designed for that. It seems to be more inherent with tube amps though.

Thanks Atmasphere for the comments - definitely jives with what I hear, and I would also urge you to continue your explanation you spoke of!

I also agree 100% with Frogman's comments on the "black background" thing. You have put into words something I have never quite been able to explain so succinctly.