Tubes vs. solid state.

The ASR Emitter is one such SS amp that gives up nothing to tubes, and does certain other things no tube amp can do. Used prices are not so bad, especially since it's an integrated. (Yes I have one listed but actually I'm keeping it.)

The Red Wine products give up a little dimensionality but tonality is spot-on, and again offer certain advantages.

Same with Pass, other traditional class A SS.

Some people just like the tonality differences that arise from the respective frequency response deviations. Since most tube amps will put out less power into lower impedances and most solid-state amps the opposite, you end up with quite different bass & other characteristics (ie the impedance rise at the tweeter xover point makes the tube amp sound brighter - more 'detailed' - more 'alive'). Depending on the speaker these differences are either a pro or con for one topology or the other.

And for sure some people do like the soft, rolled-off sound many tube amps, especially SE, give. You don't realize anything is rolled-off except in comparison. (Is this why SETs 'pull vocals out from the mix'? Because both ends are downplayed?)

I'm a long-time SE tube guy but the fact is that while tubes can sound great and it is generally easier/cheaper to build a very good tube amp, the output devices are but one part of the equation, and 'tube sound' is just as unnatural as 'solid-state' sound. Natural sound should probably be the goal.

Interesting thread. I have been back and forth so many times, but for the last 2-3 years I have been very happy with an SS system - perhaps it is finding the right mix of components? I would have stuck with tubes were it not for the maintenance and small children in my house. It took a little playing around, but you can certainly build an SS system, today, that provides a lot of the musical flow of a tube system.

I'TS FUN TO LISTEN WITH ALL TUBE GEARS.

BUT I DO MISS ALL S/S GEARS TOO.

SO I DECIDED TO HAVE BOTH.

MOSTLY VINTAGE EXCEPT MY SPEAKER.

Yes, in fact, your hearing does adapt to sound and your brain will filter out the most irritating aspects of it to make it more pleasant. That is why the myths of warming-up amplifiers and braking-in the cables exist.
BTW, I also love the midrange, but I prefer it always accompanied by bass and treble.
Actually the older I get and as I gradually loose my hearing the more tubey my SS equipment sounds , so it is all good.

Uh-oh. What happens when a tubes vs. solid state thread merges into whether break-in and warm-up exists? Next, someone will say that some wire they found in the dumpster of Home Depot is just as good as all audio cables in existence. This thread may actually implode.

Maybe this thread should be shut down. There are plenty of other good threads such as:

What speakers will my cat like?
Why are there so many [component x] for sale?
What is the best [component y]?
and
Remote doesn't work, could it be the batteries?