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Solid State is the way to go if one is trying to build a satisfying system for both audio and home theater. I have Proceed components (AVP, HPA amps) and Thiel loudspeakers (CS3.6 and MCS1s) and love the sound for both music and home theater. Tubes just can't cut it for home theater.

Something that doesn't come in an ugly black box. Something that isn't shaped like a rectangle. Something that doesn't cost a bazillion dollars. How 'bout a pyramid-shaped, solid-tube gizmo, with a little blinky light on top, in fire engine red, for, oh, say $750?

much more reliable sound

At first, I didn't notice how much I preferred the sound of SETs, until I tried my friend's solid state number -- a highly respectable one at that -- then I knew in an instant I could never go back to solid state!

In a guitar amp, I'll take tubes. But that is part of the sound production chain. For sound reproduction, it's transistors all the way. I've heard some of the best tube amps, and none has the definition, authority and musicality of the good transistor amps. And when you add generally lower costs, better reliability, and lower heat output of solid-state, there really is no contest.

I have never heard a singled ended triode. My opinion may change when I do. I have heard KT66s wired for triode in PP class A. I liked what I heard.

I have experinced most types...I know own the Bel Canto EVO...and I am set for life!!!

Tubes above 60hz, with solid-state below, biamp with the best of both worlds, and then you will know.

I prefer my amp to be solid state and tubes for my pre-amp.

Tubes do have a certain romance to them, but the maintainence issues and cost are enough to keep me away. And digital apmlification hasn't yet come into it's own. So I guess, for better or for worse, it'll be solid state for me. For now, anyway.

True Digital amplification (i.e. TacT Millennium): tube midrange, bass with the impact and extension of solidstate, but with the robustness of tubes, and yet with less ear fatigue and distortion then both, and MUCH more transparent as well.

switching (class-T)

Where does the term: 'Solid-State' come from?

I have been a happy Counterpoint owner/user for a long time. Too bad I have been plagued by reliability problems al along the way.

I own a pair of very difficult-to-drive loudspeakers that can potentially dip down to around 1 ohm. I need raw visceral power, which solid state seems to supply. I'm sure that tube owners out there will take me to task when I say that I cannot find a tube amp (sub $5000) that will provide this.

I like nice sound without distortion plus reliabilty. This is due to being retired and using my system a great deal

Actually, I don't care as long as the sound is satisfying I also love tube amps. (any kind) except when they get above $2k.

I have a Pass Aleph 3 (which sems to satisfy many of the tube guys) along with a VTL TL2.5 tube pramp, so I have it both ways.

I'm afraid I have to point to Peter Walker of Quad fame when it comes to amplifiers. If the output is a copy of the input or at least a good enough copy for all the program material you are going to put through it than you can't make a better amplifier. I'm sorry but I think most good amplifers sound pretty much the same.

'Class A' all the Way

There is nothing so seductive as the sound eminating from a tube amp/preamp/vinyl combination. Of course, I am not speaking of the "cheap" glass, but rather of the engineering artistry that makes one forget about the equipment and become completely and blisfully lost in the music. After all, it is music that is the language and also the therapy which the world so desperately needs.

Tubes sound closer to the real thing.

Most of the music I listen to is full of distortion, so what's wrong with solid state? If I spent as much time as I would like listening to pure sounds I guess single-ended triode would be my choice - but I don't even spend as much time as I would like listening to the "junk" I listen to, so why bother?

Good solid-state amps lose nothing to tube amps while offering low frequency capability not attainable by tube gear. I use Mark Levinson's #335 and am very satisfied.

Have done tubes. Currently changed to a Linn Majik, and it is!

I can't ever see going back to solid-state, with the possible exception of a "warm" solid state amp paired to a tube preamp. The first time I heard a good tube amp is something that I'll never forget, an experience that turned my little audiophile world upside down. Long Live Tubes!

At this particular point, I would have to give the nod to solid-state amps. They finally have the ability to match tubes in terms of transparency, mid and high frequency smoothness, while also being able to resolve a stunning amount of accurate bass without distortion. Tubes (even SET amps), never seem to get the bass totally right. With solid-state technology now, we are finally able to see matching levels of warmth and resolution compared with tubes, better low-level resolution coming from solid state, and much less distortion overall. Add the fact that solid-state is much more low maintenance and reliable (changing tubes every year or so is not too appealing and I won't even go into sound degradation when the tubes are getting burnt out), then we have a clear winner, solid state in all categories.

This is an real difficult question to answer. Tube amps from reputable companies (Audio Research, VTL) will have an solid-state likenees to their character, and visa versa of a good Solid-State producer (Krell,BAT). All sonics aside though, nothing beats the glow of them their tubes.

i ;ile the low maintenence of the tubeless amps. the sound of a quality high current amp is clean and precise enough for me. i think the tub amps are really better suited to dedicated analog system and with the prices of having two two systems i have to decide that the high current satifies both theatre and stereo listening

It really depends on the music you like. I need solid-state to get the most out of the thundering beats of rap and hip-hop music. Dr. Dre, SnoopDogg, and Eminem need to be heard through 200 watts of Class A solid-state power. Can you imagine playing Dre on a Conrad Johnson system? NOT!!!