Tubes vs Solid State - Imaging, Soundstaging, 3D

Hi Mapman,
I have no doubt that the Bel Canto is a quite fine solution that fits your needs and I meant no criticism in any way. Ralph made certain points about the effects and consequences NFB that ring true in my listening endeavors and so it caught my attention. I of course agree with you in that there's inherent compromise with any amplifier choice. For what I seek and place the highest priority on, the simpler lower power amps minus the NFB get me the closest to that sound.
Charles,

My guess is Class D still has upside, but is pretty darn good already. I'm finding it better already than most Class A/B transistor amps. Class A/B/D all use transistors, right?

Tubes are not obsolete. They have unique charms. Definitely a small niche in the big picture though. Bigger in high end audio no doubt. That may not change.

High end audio will always have a special place for the other wise unconventional where it can exert some control in unique ways over the market.

The bigger question is does high end audio as it is comprised today grow or shrink over time as new innovations come about? Being stuck in the past is often not a good formula for growth.

Class D is a game changer IMHO. Tubes beware!

Charles,

I was looking at your system in conjunction with formulating my response.

No doubt, you have a well thought out setup with some very unique qualities as well and a lot of care has gone into it.

I have only gotten to the point in recent years where I am able to listen for hours on end given the opportunity and be continuously sucked further into the music.

I have a wife and kids, a house and jog and other hobbies as well, so you know how that goes. ALways something to do. All else aside, I can be quite happy just sitting and listening.

But there are so many ways to skin the cat. I hear great sounding stereos all the time now at shows, dealers, plus more good sound at live events when I get a chance. Tubes are often part of the equation, possibly a necessary ingredient still somewhere, just not in the power amp in my particular case.

The thing is there is so many ways to skin the cat and get good results. The common ingredient seems to be a love of music and a desire to get things just right in order to maximize the experience while it lasts. And maybe a tube or two or more can't hurt.

"The point is that the noise floor of a circuit with natural hiss will seem to have more detail, as our ears can hear information below then noise floor; in a circuit with feedback they can't"

Assuming the noise floor is low and can't be heard anyhow, what is there to hear below it?

Information! But just because you hear something over the noise doesn't mean you're hearing more. As often as not, probably less.