Vote

the reproduced sound is more natural

I'm a big fan of MONSTER sized solid state amps. I love both stereo and monoblock designs, and am a big fan of the industrial look (Pass, Bryston, etc.). I love super sharp heat sinks that warn not to be touched. The heavier the better, and it must be balanced from input to output. Slap on some nice Cardas binding posts and we have a winner. I have no preference for bipolars or Mosfets, as both can be excellent.

are you kidding?

while I understand that tubes can do some things better than solid state, I believe that solid state is more consistant in their sound. I don't know about the hybrids because I live in the boonies and haven't been able to listen to the hybrids with any consistancy to be able to hear the difference.

It has to be more correct, hasn't it?

the right solid state in the appropriate sistem, can offer BIG satisfactions!

For most purposes where convienance and usability are factors, I still say that solid state is the best choice. The virtues of being more load-invariant and requiring less time and effort to keep running properly make them well-suited to most applications. Most listeners that are not heavily into the more ritualized segment of hifi will probably always look askance at the foreplay that is performed by some of the tube lover. (That also could be said about a number of tweaky, obsessive practices, tube-related or no...) That said, I have been very impressed at the sound of tube amps I have listened to recently, particularly the conrad-johnson equipment. If I were thinking about an upgrade in amplification and funds were flowing well, I would be foolish not to look in the direction of some good tube gear. In the end, there are many roads to great sound, and many circuits that can gety you there. It is all a matter of execution and attention to detail on the part of the company.

No further comment. They are super !

tubes are cool looking, but certainly old tech.

Now that MOSFET devices have solved the "edgey" sound problem of transistor amps, the reliability of solid-state amplifiers makes them the winner in my book. The power available to drive most speaker loads also contributes to my opinion. Besides, the quality of the input (software) is, by far, where the biggest sound quality differences can be made in today's technology.

Class T digital It sounds great and is kind to the environment due to its efficiency.

I love SET sound but prefer mosfet prices.

With current-hungry speakers, tubes are not even an option for me. Plus, I move every few years as part of my military service. Tubes are out of the question for me right now, not because I don't like them, but because they don't fit my lifestyle. Maybe when I retire.

I still feel, after all these years, that a good solid state power amp with a tube pre-amp is the best combination. Today's power amplifer technology is a mature technology.

While I will agree that valves develop a nice sound when properly implemented, they are not worth the bother and expense to me. SS technology has gotten mighty good and reliable.

In my price range, tubes reign supreme, though I understand as you get up the price ladder ss gets far better. Still, there is an ineffable quality to tubes that I rarely hear in solid-state.

To my ears and in my system, tube sounds best. The distortion artifacts from tubes are more sympathetic to the reproduction of the acoustic music I tend to listen to. I've also found tubes to be a nice antidote for the sometimes harsh sound of 16/44 digital. Another factor is cost. I have picked up quite a few vintage amps over the years. Even with the cost of restoration included, the sound of these amps is much better than that of new amps for the same total cost.

Truth be told, give me good solid state over good tubes any day. I have heard some of the best gear when it comes to audio gear and for me, solid state offer a bit more impact, clarity, and slam. Tubes are nice, but consistency over time has turned me off. Also, that euphonic feeling grows a little tiresome after awhile. It's okay for jazz or vocals, but I really prefer the TRUTH. Good solid state does not lie! And besides, solid state provides POWER. Why go with conrad-johnson when you can buy KRELL!

i cant afford one1

Tubes are the way of the future !!!

For reliability and lack of problems I prefer solid state. The sound quality of my Bryston 4BST is excellent!

Still the best for musicality with a wide range of speaker choices.

The solid state power amp with a good tube pre-amp works well. ARC + Krell anyone?

Tube and hybrid units can sound great but maintainence such as tube replacement can be bothersome not to mention expensive.

Whatever makes my music sound the best!

After tasting the fruit of many design efforts,I've settled on single ended triode amplification. It just suits my tastes in music best. The adaptability of substituting different tubes to enhance the sound is an added bonus.

The days of cold, analytic transistors are gone. Modern solid-state amps excel in clarity, neutrality, and vanishingly low levels of distortion. And they're hard to beat for bass definition.

Solid-state for power amps (durability, consistency of sound, bass slam) but there is a place for the warmth of tubes in pre-amps and source components. The only tube component I now have is a Music Fidelity X10D connected to my VCR.

My 30th? or so amps are properly-driven mono MOSFETs with 800W toroidal transformers and 60,000 uf capacitance. They are mechanically silent and awesomely fast and incredibly detailed. After three years, they are reliable so far. Think of the sound of the best valve amps with true bass and top end definition and around 10,000 watt peak power and you have the idea. Every time I return from a trip away I am still amazed at their sound quality.

My office looks out onto a street where Ferraris race by at 100 MPH, and I'm impressed. I drive a Toyota. I love the sound of tubes, but my tube amps are in the closet because they can't provide the reliability I want.