Hi Dave,

Our individual sensitivities help us define our views of the sounds and equipment we like or dislike. I'm unfortunately someone who greatly dislikes unnatural or over-emphasised sibilance. I find a great many solidstate amps are harsh in reproducing sibilance. There are other reasons for my liking valve amps but this harshness issue is a big reason for why I don't get on with many solidstate amps, I can hear the effect as soon as I enter a room with music playing. Of course you can get it wrong with valve amps too but that's harder to do.