A nice read on tubes!

Great article.  If articles like this were printed in magazines or websites directed at younger people, we might be able to convert some earbud listeners into audiophiles.

As far as tubes vs solid state, it just goes to show that there's no right or wrong, just what works for you.

"It doesn’t matter if it’s tubes, transistors, or a hamster on wheel. All that matters is that you got lost in the music."

That is essentially what I’ve stated in other threads throughout this forum, albeit worded a bit differently.

To me, here are the take away’s (either mentioned in the article directly or gleaned) as justification to avoid tubes in favor of solid state. To be fair and to avoid drawing the ire of the many tube lovers, designers, etc. on this forum I understand the point of using tubes - succinctly and presumably, more accurate sound reproduction as compared to SS. Tubes:

- expensive (for the highest of quality)

- variable quality (even within same brand/model)

- unpredictable longevity (can last for many years but requires "testing" every so often and typically may last only a few years; hard to tell if tube itself is operating at its potential peak performance)

- fragile (generates and inordinate amount of heat, capable of amplifying something that comes into contact with it, can break if not handled delicately, etc.)

- finicky (more difficult to integrate properly with all other components, less forgiving )