Tubes vs. solid state.

I have had both;the only solid state amp(s) I really enjoy are my jeff roland model 6 monoblocks;on the tube amps I have owned the cary slam 100 and audio valve challanger 180 monoblocks are my best performers driving soundlab m2's.I can see both sides of this question but for me the tubes best the solid state.

Just to chime in here. I believe that tubes vs solid state is a matter of budget and price point. Low level solid state amps sound bright if not designed and constructed correctly. Low level tube amps sound warm, until you realize that something is wrong with the sound also. But, top of the line amps, either solid state or tube? I'll tell you seriously. I have listened to top of the line amps and I'll take either. Audio Research Reference 610 amps vs Boulder top of the line? Can't pick. They both sound wonderful. I listened to Krell amps for a time and still find them too bright. Switched pre-amps and still bright. Switched amps, to a Mark Levinson amp and brightness went away. Here is what I have learned over the years. If you stop listening and don't know why, something is driving you away from your system. But, if you can't wait to turn it on and listen for hours, then it is just fine.

enjoy

You hear transistor amp manufacturers boasting of a "tube like" sound. Reviewers may compliment an amp as having a "tube like" liquidity.

You don't hear tube amp manufacturers boasting of a "solid state" sound. Reviewers may criticize an amp as having a "solid state" dryness.

Transistor products aspire for a tube like sound. Tube products are just that way by nature.

minorl,
I agree if you can't wait to listen and in turn and can't turn the system off then its a good thing.
This reminds me of my fascination over the MBL system, I couldn't leave the room at the show, and I wasn't alone.
Some of the music they played was not my cup of tea, for instance there was some crap oops I meant rap, but it sounded awesome and everything else did too.
I want to enjoy music and would like to find myself easily enjoying new genres. I want my system to help me enjoy music I didn't feel before, then it becomes a musical journey.
I didn't feel jazz before, but as my system improved I found it easier to enjoy jazz.

guyz ever try tubed bubes? As in you tape on a 6SN7. killer stuff.