Vote

I absolutely like the sound of tubes (specially SET), but in an all-around balance I believe SS comes ahead, especially in lower- to mid-cost components. In my experience with various amplifiers, the best I have ever heard doing EVERYTHING right have been SS. Sure, the midrange of most SET amplifiers is excellent, but as a package that has the fewer compromises, there are more options in the market with SS.

I'VE ONLY HEARD ONE, THE AUDIO NOTE MEISHU. IT WAS WONDERFUL. MORE ON SAME, AND ANALOG, IN YOUR MAGAZINE, PLEASE!

While SET amplifiers have seductive sound, the use of specifically designed speakers (efficient, easy load) is somewhat of a problem. My exposure to tubes in the past two years has proved to be eye-opening. Go forth and listen for yourselves . . .

I voted with my pocketbook and purchased a pair of Cary 805Cs---I have never regretted it for a moment! True audio bliss!

Samovich Tellignovski got me to trying some kind of bottles with the X10 Piglet. Just what my modest, upper-midfi system needed: more emotion, less etch.

The sound of my 300Bbased amp is huge & palpable as opposed to the dry and flat sound of my old well regarded SSamp.

Brands like Spectral and Conrad-Johnson have shown us that there is light at the end of the tunnel for those of us who want the amazing musicality and ear-pleasing distortions of tubes in a package that is extremely easy to use and has the low maintenance of solid-state gear . Single-ended designs are, for lack of a better word, interesting, but way too temperamental and maintenance-heavy for the likes of the normal music lover. (But whoever subscribes to this page is not a normal music listener.)

I've always been enamored of the sound of tube electronics, but the existence of small children in my home precludes the buying of anything that's made of glass and can potentially explode.

I have recent Levinson stuff and I love it, but the Audio Research VT100/Reference One preamp have blown me away. Way better than anything I have heard.

Why stop the natural flow of technological development? Are Tubes really better that "Stones"(as the Japanese call them)? I recently sold all my tube stuff, to buy a new system. Perhaps a matter of taste.

Balanced solid-state

I don't really care what's inside. It can be toilet paper---the sound is what matters.

It would be interesting if you would publish the total number of respondents at each weeks vote.

I prefer planar type speakers and due to lower efficiencies, solid state is able to drive them without busting the budget.

These may not be for everyone, but they renewed my lagging interest in audio.

High end solid state ALWAYS delivers better, deeper, tighter bass and for the most part better detail. No tweaking, adjusting or transistors/chips to replace.

I have gone from Dyna to Spectral, and now to Welborne 300B. I'll take the SET any day!

Iam currently reviewing amps to replace my Futterman OTL 4. Tubes are High on my listbut I am open to the best sound. I may not "upgrade" yet.I have lived with the Futterman for 15 years now and still have trouble giving up that top end for strings.

I had them all and I like solid state the best.

Single-ended MOSFET.

I have tubes in my DAC (CAL Alpha), tubes in my preamp (VTL Ultimate), but haven't yet had the chance to try tubes in my amp (Adcom 555II for now). I would love to try some VTL 225 or 300s on my Genesis 400s.

Why have low power that only works with slim number of speaker.

I have found that a 30W push-pull tube amp is the most practical option for my musical taste, listening habits, budget, and room interaction. Transistors seem to interfere with the music, a single-ended system is beyond my financial reach, and, being a purist, I find the idea of trying to mesh all the variables of a hybrid system into good sound to be overkill.

I've not tried the SE amp, but I'd like to. I am currently usins Solid-State as the Houston climate does not reward those who use heat-producing devices. I have used conrad johnson, VTL and ARC in the past, and look forward to the day when I can move in that direction again.

if you want to relive the experience, nothing gets the "there" there like an fpb600.

Long term reliability and low maintenance, I do not like the thin sound from mass market amplifiers and stereo systems.

At the 1996 CES show I heard the Cary Audio 28W single-ended monoblocks. I am way impressed. If I can ever afford them I will purchase single-ended. Right now I'm using a 200Wpc solid-state Adcom, which I enjoy very much.

Toobs didn't gather my goat as much as solid, powerful SS amps.

I prefer the beauty of SOME tube designs, but not the cost! Additionally, I feel that powere output is not nearly in-line with price.

Difficult but sometimes it happens !! The combination of Audio Note M7 pre-amp / Plinius SA-100 is the best I've heard in my system recently... Of course few things are maybe better with a single-ended triode amp but as a total solution I prefer the above combination