Tubes or Solid State?

Tubes.

Solid state amplification devices are more efficient, so you can get a lot more watts for less money. Many types of speakers are relatively inefficient, or present unusual impedance loads that challenge an amplifier, and these devices require plenty of muscle to perform their best. The super high power tube amps are just really too expensive. So solid state has an important place in our world.

But take a highly efficient speaker than never drops too low in electrical impedance, and a well-crafted tube amp, and music just blooms out of the system.

I've heard great stereos that use solid state amps. But there's a magic to good tube amplification with the right speakers that solid state just can't do.

Tubes. More.