Toobs are for Boobs

[ATLAudio]

I've never understood the fascination with tube amps for playback. I've heard many of them, and I simply never hear anything odd or unusual, or most of all, preferential. In my experience, with the exception of hot cheap garbage, the vast majority of amps (tube and solid state) are sonically transparent, unless over driven.

I know someone who's determined to buy one, and told me that he only reads positive testimonials, and I can't dispute that. I just wonder why the fascination...

 

[lovinthehd]

They look cool in the dark?

 

[ATLAudio]

They look cool in the dark?

So, like an expensive lava lamp?

 

[lovinthehd]

So, like an expensive lava lamp?

I think some amps even have LEDs to accentuate the look. They do have a sort of steam punk thing going on. Maybe not as cool as a lava lamp, tho....

I'm just generally mystified with the whole tube thing, and not just for amps but phono stages and pre-amps in general.....thus my subscribing to the thread

ps Originally thot thread was about tv....the old boob toob thing.

 

[ATLAudio]

@lovinthehd

Sound Card

 

[M Code]

Tube amplifiers don't clip harshly like solid state designs... In the pro-audio music field guitar tube amplifiers are still preferred over solid state.. Biggest advantage of a tube amplifier is that it is a great room warmer..

Just my $0.02...

 

[ATLAudio]

Tube amplifiers don't clip harshly like solid state designs... In the pro-audio music field guitar tube amplifiers are still preferred over solid state.. Biggest advantage of a tube amplifier is that it is a great room warmer..

Just my $0.02...

I totally get their role in production, it's reproduction that's baffling.

 

[Mikado463]

tube amps can be 'tuned' to ones sonic preference via 'tube rolling'. Some folks do prefer their 'euphoric' distortion, mid-range warmth, call it what ever you want.

 

[ATLAudio]

tube amps can be 'tuned' to ones sonic preference via 'tube rolling'. Some folks do prefer their 'euphoric' distortion, mid-range warmth, call it what ever you want.

Never heard of that one?! I've yet to see a tube amp bench mark that showed audible distortion or mid range coloration different from a SS.

 

[Verdinut]

Go see this article:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-physics-musicians-valve-amps.html

 

[ATLAudio]

Go see this article:

https://phys.org/news/2017-02-physics-musicians-valve-amps.html

Again, their place in production is well documented. For playback, it's just chumpish...

 

[KEW]

@lovinthehd

Sound Card

Wow ... just wow!

That deserves a pic!

 

[Mikado463]

Again, their place in production is well documented. For playback, it's just chumpish...

OK, so you don't get ...... then forget it !

 

[lovinthehd]

OK, so you don't get ...... then forget it !

So if you get it, what do you "get"?

 

[KEW]

Is there a group of "motor heads" that are taking fuel-injected cars and retrofitting them with "good ole" carburetors or is it just audio that is prone to this kind of lunacy? How about condensers and distributors?!

 

[ATLAudio]

I had thought for a while that there was bleed over from pro audio into home audio.

"Since Clapton uses a tube amp on stage, I'll do the same at home for playback!"

Holding aside that Clapton is deliberately over-driving his amps, which are better designed for that use, (you aren't or shouldn't be) and you should want to hear Clapton, as recorded, who already made the decision for how much distortion and coloration was needed on his hit albums.

 

[ski2xblack]

Tubes for the DIY'er pursuing it as a hobby? Some of us like to build stuff.

 

[lovinthehd]

Tubes for the DIY'er pursuing it as a hobby? Some of us like to build stuff.

This is really the only way I'd find interesting I think...

 

[ski2xblack]

This is really the only way I'd find interesting I think...

Interestingly enough, I found out I have a soft spot for SE types.

 

[lovinthehd]

Interestingly enough, I found out I have a soft spot for SE types.

You're probably the biggest reason I'd think so....and if I do go that way do plan on picking your brain/plan file