BlackZimbo, you will find as much tonal variability on tube gear as you will find with SS. Rather then deciding a priori on tubes or SS because of any form of external said-so, it is worth while making a hypothesis on what kind of sound you may be after, then make some listening experiments and determine if the results match more or less your hypothesis.
I have owned tubed pres from 1992 to 2008 and truly enjoyed them. In March 2008 I switched to a Rowland Capri, not because it's SS, but simply because I enjoyed it more than my tubed ARC Ref 3 for a variety of reasons, on which I waxed poetic in too many places around here. I tend to enjoy sound that is neither stereotypically tuby, nor it sounds SSish. I love loads of harmonics, good extension, linearity, good but not unnaturally magnified transient speed, quiet operation, and little/no maintenance/upkeep. I am after a musical experience that lets me sink into my sofa and get lost in the music, and not sit on the edge to feel adrenalin and anxiety. My listening prefs are classical with a smidjin of female vocals.
The bottom line is that only a lot of auditioning of both SS and tubes will let you discover what may be right for you.
G.
I have owned tubed pres from 1992 to 2008 and truly enjoyed them. In March 2008 I switched to a Rowland Capri, not because it's SS, but simply because I enjoyed it more than my tubed ARC Ref 3 for a variety of reasons, on which I waxed poetic in too many places around here. I tend to enjoy sound that is neither stereotypically tuby, nor it sounds SSish. I love loads of harmonics, good extension, linearity, good but not unnaturally magnified transient speed, quiet operation, and little/no maintenance/upkeep. I am after a musical experience that lets me sink into my sofa and get lost in the music, and not sit on the edge to feel adrenalin and anxiety. My listening prefs are classical with a smidjin of female vocals.
The bottom line is that only a lot of auditioning of both SS and tubes will let you discover what may be right for you.
G.