Great conversation guys !
I have heard great music out of both, but SS works for me with my current system. SE tubes are the Best of the Genre IMO, but they are usually not enuff to drive the large speakers i always find myself gravitating towards. So for me Tubes will not work in my setup, nothing to do with better or best , more horses for courses.
Atma:
Great input and discussion on NF and it's effect. very similar effect when comparing digital to analog. why do so many find dragging a diamond nail thru vinyl grooves to sound better ... Technically poor , yet ultimately it is the best for sound, of course with that perfect setup and recording.
Digital with all of it's clever bits and bytes and superior duplicating ability has it flaws , but captures music differently , what it does well it does better than analog and same for analog, hence same for SS and tubes...
Good SS recreates the dynamics, and energy of live music that Tubes can't , tubes recreate the intimacy and nuances of live music that SS can't, while they both do all of the above to some degree, that is there apparent strengths and weakness's IMO.
regards,
PS: Ohhh, stay away from SS manufacturers who try to make their equipment sound like tubes , i find those to be the worst of the genre.
