having to include the snags that o/p transformers and valves tend to bring do
give you problems which solid state tends to sidestep.

Think on the bright side - transformers isolate stages, and valves can be very
linear devices. And I agree with Iain that large amounts of feedback can be a
problem as well as a solution, and that a nice descending ratio of harmonics is
sonically worthwhile. Some pioneering work was done on this by Jean Hiraga in
the 70s I believe, showing why moving coil cartridges like the EMT sounded
better by looking at their harmonic spectrum.

=== Andy Evans ===
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