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I have a few theories...

and generally I agree with you.

First, I believe the tube revival was largely fueled by the deficiencies of most CD players. I think a lot of people are using 300B's and 2A3's to roll off the etched highs of most DACs.

Second theory - a lot of people continue to use 2 or 3 way dynamic speakers, which tend today to use bright sounding, schreeching tweeters. Again, people compensate.

Third, there is a huge misconception about tubes, largely IMO fueled by Cary, that second harmonic is cool and tubes should sound fat, warm and cuddly. To me, that is the antithesis of real tube sound - which is dynamic, clear, tonally accurate, leaves the notes suspended in space against a dark background, and has a slight euphony or roundness to the notes. Good tube amps are quick and crisp.

Last theory - and I'm a participant in this - is that tubes are just plain fun. Solid State just sort of sits there and can't be played with, except if you want to go the route of accessory tweaks like magic stones, isolation feet, and more bizarre stuff. It's a fun hobby to collect tubes, and roll tubes. You can take a piece of equipment that has become too familiar to your ear and no longer excites you, and change it's character in seconds - and then everything is new again.

But tubes are a commitment not for everyone, and too few really understand what good tube sound really is.

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  Kimber Kable  

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