Two Paths to Musical Truth: The Case for Both Solid-State and Tube Phono Stages

 So, if I understand you, and again speaking in very general terms, tubes trend towards lower order (even order) harmonic distortion which is perceived as warmth and richness by some audiophiles and solid state has more higher order  (odd order) harmonic distortion which is perceived as a harsh, clinical or dry sound by some audiophiles

@jsalerno277 Not exactly. The third harmonic is also musical so when tubes are involved we’re not talking about just even orders. Conversely the higher orders, even included, are generated by both kinds of amps. Tubes actually make more higher ordered harmonics (even and odd) than solid state does but they mask them effectively. so:

This is not an absolute measurement of frequency response and valves do not attenuate high frequencies absolutely compared to solid state, but rather it is the perception of high frequencies based on the bias of how the circuit generates or handles distortion.

This part also not exactly. Its how the ear perceives distortion; the 2nd and 3rd contribute to warmth; the 5th and above contribute to brightness and harshness. This happens because the ear assigns tonality to harmonics which is how we can tell musical instruments apart, and also because the ear uses higher ordered harmonics to sense sound pressure (which is easily demonstrated with simple test equipment). Because it has about a 120dB range, it has to be pretty sensitive!

However, I have always gravitated to the clarity and extension of solid state, and the ability to command the low efficiency and difficult load speakers I have owned.  

Actually all amps, tube, solid state or class D, benefit from working with speakers that are easier to drive as they will make less distortion and so be more transparent (and often not as harsh, especially at higher volume). 

Some of the distortion comments here apply to phono sections BTW, just to keep things on topic.

I appreciate tube phono sections (if they are done right) as they don’t sacrifice clarity and extension as you mentioned above. But solid state has come a long ways in the last 50 years so for me what it comes down to is whether the designer sorted out how to prevent the RFI from messing with the input circuit of the phono section, because I don’t like ticks and pops (if this make no sense read my first post in this thread). 

@jsalerno277 

I’ve gone through a few iterations of Nikon, Canon, and Minolta cameras back in the day, but honestly, my iPhone 15 Pro does a pretty impressive job now for both photos and video. The convenience and image quality are hard to beat for everyday use.

By the way, that’s one hell of an audio system you’ve got in your den — truly impressive setup!

@lalitk Agreed. Try the Leica app for iPhones.  Many photo enhancement functions. Like all apps, it’s free for basic functions with up charges for more sophisticated fractions.  

I have a Leica with a few lenses, a Nikon(s) with most lenses they make and a Fuji (s) with most of the lenses they make. They all take great photos, but the Leica (note it is an M10) is the best for carefully crafted photos and emotional convenience, it wins hands down if I could only have one camera, the Nikon is fantastic for fast - incredibly detailed photos, but is heavy, and the Fuji I take when traveling because of its flexibility and small size. 

I use my iPhone 16 constantly. I can do micro photography with it that I used to only be able to do with a Nikon D800 and a Macro lens with three rim mounted lens flashes! I can’t believe how good it has gotten. I didn’t think it could get much better than the iPhone 15... but it was. I get my iPhone 17 next week. I can’t wait. 

@atmasphere Thank you for the time you spent describing how harmonics effect perceived sound quality in a manner so easily understood by novice layperson like I.   Most articles I have read only address low order and high order harmonics.  I will do more research based on your response.