Would I miss out on a subject like this? :gayfight2: I'll accept two out of those four, and add one you didn't mention. Harmonics, distortion ratings, and the damping factor will be the biggest factors in making "the sound". Why do I choose tubes? (single-ended triodes, more specifically) 1. SET's are one of the simplest amp designs out there, with the least parts count. 2. Class A amplification, by design, is one of the purest forms of amplification. The active device is always on, through both peaks of the waveform. You can't get crossover distortion from peak to trough. 3. The soundstage and imaging is incredible. I realize the speakers have a huge role in this; but it goes back to point #7 below. 4. You can heat your room from the heat of the triodes on a cold winter's night. 5. They look damn cool. 6. This is 1930's technology, so if something breaks you can get the soldering iron and fix it yourself without a magnifying glass (anyone that's worked on SMD parts can appreciate this) 7. I personally prefer the sound of a low DF system running into a crossoverless loudspeaker. There's an intimacy about the sound that's IMO is missing with very complex active systems running much more power. I realize very few members here have had the chance to sit down and audition a good tube system...but I encourage those that haven't to try Those that have, you know what I'm talking about. real amps glow in the dark...