Tubes vs Solid State

I use tube amps with B&W 800's. In my experience, the biggest difference in using SS and tubes with these B&W's is in bass control. I went from a pair of Bryston 4BSST's bi-amped to a pair of 150 watt Octave MRE 130's mono amps. The sound from the tubes absolutely trumps any other SS I have heard and many other tube amps, thus far. The bass does not have articulate deep punch with the tubes, however, it has a solid specificity that makes drum, tom toms, and any hardwood sound so real. I would say the pitch with tubes is far more accurate and the punch the SS amps offered is not really missed and more akin to the depth of what a sub offers. I hear the drums with more of a real effect, but not with the absolute deep articulation, like what you would get with a subwoofer, and that is what I did, I added a sub. In many instances, I do not even play music with the sub on, unless I want to absolutely rock and play loud, then musical accuracy goes out the window as I crank up Aerosmith Train Kept a Rolling to ear shattering levels with the dual 15's adding the punch to get the party started.

The most accurate way for you to determine what you will like is to listen. The experiences I have had with tube amps and B&W 800's runs contrary to what a few would say are not a good match. But, how many have others have heard Octave MRE 130's mono tube amps with the Super Black Box driving B&W 800's? I dare say not anyone in the continental US besides me.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life

Mechans,I`ve wondered about that very same issue for years,why so many 4 ohm speakers on the market? Having owned higher powered SS amps with lower impedance/effiiency speakers and then moving to lower power tubes with a higher ohm load and efficiency. I clearly find the latter approach better for me(more nautral/real sounding). As Atamasphere pointed out in a different thread reccently, it`s more difficult to build a good higher efficiency-higher impedance speaker.My current speaker is 94db and has a 14 ohm load and it`s fabulous.
Regards,

...And many of us clearly find that lower impedance speakers, and ss amps are the better approach for more natural/real sound.

Tube amps are more fun. There I said it.

Hi Unsound,
It`s simply what works best for us as individuals. Many would share your viewpoint and many others mine. Fortunately we all can be happy either way.
Regards,