Oh, my goodness!
That was rather one-sided, don'tcha think? Isn't this supposed to be about dialog and discussion and the sharing of opinions? Your post was "I'm right and you're wrong".
"If you can hear anything besides the source of the music, something is wrong. That is the superiority of solid state. Just the facts."
Here's the facts: No electrical/mechanical system reproduces the sound of the original music. None. Period. It attempts to reproduce what was engraved on the grooves of a vinyl disc, or what was etched onto a plastic disc, which was generated by an electrical device, which was driven by an electrical/mechanical microphone. If you think that that doesn't even matter, much less that it somehow matters less than what device provides gain in an amp, you're being naive. Even if you don't play the piano, if you've ever banged your fingers down on a piano, if you've ever heard a piano played live, then you can't deny the truth: a $500,000 stereo system can't reproduce that sound. It might get pretty close.
It. Will. Never. Sound. The. Same.
Not a tube system, not a SS system, not until the speaker enclosure includes four foot long steel strings and felt-padded wooden hammers.
"If you change a tube and can hear a difference, the gear is getting in the way of the music."
Two responses to that one:
1. Since the sound coming from the speakers is not the sound made by a violin, but the sounds made by electrical components and mechanical devices, it is a matter of opinion whether or not any change makes the sound "closer" or not to the end goal.
2. If you change a transistor/capacitor/resistor/inductor/transformer/cable in a SS amp, and you can hear the difference, the gear is getting in the way of the music. The entire purpose of circuit design is to attempt to identify the components, AND THEIR VALUES, that will generate the desired output. Since every component, including transistors and every other component in a transistor amp, is manufactured to specific tolerances, which tend to be pretty wide, changing ANY component in ANY amp will change the sound. It might be noticeable, it might not. Some folks might think the change is an improvement, some might not. Tubes from different manufacturers, each of which follow specific tolerance guidelines, are no different than any other component.
"If you have a 'noise floor' you have a problem."
If the noise floor is below the range of human hearing, what you hear is dead black silence, and I don't believe that's a problem. Doesn't your statement apply to good design in all amps, and not just tubes? Or are you implying that all ss gear, by definition, has no noise floor?
"If you cannot play your stereo loud and soft, and it doesn't sound good all round, you have a problem."
I thought this was why people like tube gear!!!!!
"If all you get is great midrange, you have a problem."
Yes, you do have a problem. It's a speaker problem.
"With my solid state stereos, I hear what is on the music, the gear I shouldn't hear."
No, what you hear is what's on the CD, after it comes through all your gear, and after it comes through the cones on your speakers.
"I suppose tube gear is OK for fun and games, and fooling yourself that you're hearing great sounds."
Ok, now that's just plain rude.
I just told my wife: "I don't believe it...a flame on AK!!! I have no choice but to defend my honor!" She said: "Be nice, now".
Yes, dear!
Ok, Pete, here's the bottom line, and yes, I'm smiling as I write this!
When transistors replaced tubes in the late '60's, there is no question that part of the reason was that they were new, and cool, and space-age, and high-tech, and all the usual reasons why the new replaces the old, and they sounded a little different, which their supporters described as "better". When tubes began a resurgence, it was because it was cool, and trendy, and high-end,and they sounded a little different, and their supporters described it as "better".
All that shows is that what's old is new again.
Trying to categorize the sounds of one vs the other as "better" is exactly the same as insisting that sausage is better than pepperoni. It's utterly pointless, of course, because it is a matter of personal opinion. Except, of course, guys who don't think tall, curvy long-haired brunettes are the best are morons.
I assure you, there are no scientific test instruments that place one microphone in front of the violinist, one microphone in front of the SS amp, and one microphone in front of the tube amp, and a scientist that looks at the control panel and declares, "Yup, the XXX amp is reproducing exactly the same sound as the violinist, and it's better than the YYY amp to boot!"
It is a matter of personal opinion. Which, of course, is exactly what you stated. It's just that you stated it as fact, and not as opinion.
Here's the bottom line: I like old English sports cars. Any car nut who restores a '62 Impala, and lets folks see it driving down the street all shiny and new, is my hero. Any piece of wonderful automotive design rescued from the crusher is a joy.
I like vintage vacuum tube gear. Any hi-fi nut who rescues an early '70's SS Sansui from the curb, cleans it up and refinishes the case, and plays it for guests who don't know much about that kind of stuff, and tells them "this is what real music is all about", is my hero. Any piece of wonderful audio design rescued from the dumpster is a joy.
There's room for everyone here, and the discussion needs to be open and welcoming, not closed and confrontational.
And now, on to better things! I did the grocery shopping this week, and I bought a jar of chipotle pepper stuffed olives, and I think I'll have myself a martini!
Ciao,
Clay
ya know, if I didn't type 60 wpm, this would have been a lot shorter! Sorry!
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