Your tube amp should be more holigraphic in it's imaging than the SS amp also. I totally agree w/Tomthompson less over exagerated bass is more realistic. You're just used to the SS amp and it's bass boost. This sells amps to the masses. Not all SS amps are this way,but you will have to spend big money to get accurate bass in either SS or tube. When I say big money, I mean more than the two amps you are auditioning.
Help learn diff.between SS and Tube
I am auditioning an Anthem Amp 2 (a Hybrid amp) and it will be a change from my SS Marantz MA 500s in a bi-amp config. I have not had the Anthem more than a few hours (the amp is broke in) and I think right off the bat the Anthem seems to have less bass than my SS. The bass seems to be there, my room shakes, but its not as something, I can't put my finger on it, less "punchy?" Can someone pleez tell me the differences typical of tube and ss amps. Thanks. m-