Where are you today?

Thankyou so far for each & everyone of your responses and would agree with Markwitkiss that your statements are both intelligent & informative. Yes I also agree that anyone of us would like no better than to get together with another audiophile to hear their take on sound quality if & when that could be possible. I personally have combined both solid state & tubes and still being patient for the initial breakin with an upgraded ss amp.

Thomasheisig, that sounds a bit sad.

Chris

Only two tubes left. There in the output stage of my ModWright/Denon player. Leaving tubes wasn't a goal it was more chance steered by the availability of used gear. It seems I've become hooked on transparency and extension.

I still own a tube amplifier that I listen to in the winter months but I didn't this winter. Tubes are great. And when I hear, "sounds like tubes," I'm sorry, no it doesn't. And, for me, that's actually a good thing.

Vic

I'm straddling the fence...tube preamp and solid state amps.

One day when I can afford the $30k plus that it will take to purchase a pair of high powered 500 wpc tube monoblocs (ARC), I'll give tube amps a try.

Started with all SS gear, a big 400 watts/channel amp. Then got a tube integrated and phono for my upstairs system. Amazing sound. Still for my main system I maintained that gotta have 'power' and bought another pair of ref 800 watts (at 4 ohm) monoblocks with ref SS Preamp. Then got a tubed DAC. Great improvement, a tubed phono. Added more naturality to sound. Then got tubed pre. Holy s*&#. Unbelievable improvement. Each added tubed component improved the sound even more- more three dimensionality and natural sound. Then finally added a ref Tubed monoblocks (60-90 Watts/channel- a far cry from 800 watts/channel) and now the sound dev is complete.

Hard to believe the improvement every step of the way unless you listen back to back as I added each tubed gear.

I can sit back and enjoy the music now.