Why do tube amps sound so good?
Now without starting a war here, tube amps to my ear have a sound that solid state just can’t match in some areas. I think tube amps sound great, but then again certain solid state amps sound wonderful also. The main difference between tubes and solid state is the way tubes distort. Tubes distort with even order harmonics which to our ears is quite warm and pleasing sounding. Solid state clipping is not very linear and is filled with odd order harmonics and sounds cold and harsh. Also certain tube amps are as dynamic as the instrument being played through them. Certain amps really punch it up when you pluck the string harder or hit that key on your Rhodes piano hard. Solid state doesn’t have that same dynamic and feeling as a tube powered device. While there are many, many, other factors to the difference; to my ears and my opinion, this is what really makes them so special!
