Tubed Pre-Amps And Amps VS. Solid-State Pre-Amps And Amps

[Mister Crash]

Since we're comparing tube and solid-state amps, I had a newbie question...

I'm in the midst of compiling a new audio set-up for a second room, and am considering both tube and solid-state integrated amps and receivers. My usage in this room will be about 30% music, 70% video games. Now, most of the video games that I play are music/rhythm games, where timing is absolutely critical -- even 1 ms of lag can result in greatly decreased performance. I've been using a solid-state receiver (Denon AVR-2802) for some time, and it works great.

My question is: do tube amps have slew rates that are comparable to solid-state amps? If it takes significantly longer for a tube amp to process the signal, then they really would not be appropriate for my situation.

 

[cornelius]

The only tube amps with slow bass are poorly designed tube amps. Just like a SS amp with sluggish bass is a poorly design SS amp. For me, I really like Manley Labs' tube amps because they are far from being soft in the bass and overly euphonic everywhere else. I would suggest listening to some tube gear and you'll be able to hear for yourself. For me, gaming with SS would be a rather fatiguing experience!

 

[JoeE SP9]

Wow, you say it like its a fact.

I happen to have a solid state Guitar amp AND a Tube head (goes with a Cab). I like the sound of the tube amp for undistorted guitar, but the solid state excells with heavy distortion. Its also more forgiving when cranking up.

As far as audio equipment goes, I only what speakers to put a sonic signature on sound, not a pre/pro.

SheepStar

Liking the tube amp for undistorted guitar would seem to help my argument.
The truth is--- Those little glass bottles reach out with invisible fingers grab your ears in a Mike Tyson grip and won't let you move until the music is over.

 

[skrivis]

The old Dyna tube power amps (MKIII's) have a nice big fat bass. I believe solid state has a cleaner deeper bass. Of course a lot of this depends on the size of the output transformers. The bigger they are the better the bass.

And the bigger the x-former, the worse the high end.

The old Dyna tube amps were quite good at making bass, but it wasn't very accurate. You might want to browse around on Frank Van Alstine's web site (www.avahifi.com) since he did a lot of work with the old Dyna and Hafler gear.

To my mind, the best tube and the best SS gear sounds alike. It's just very neutral and clean.

It's only the lousy gear that has "tube" or "SS" characteristics.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Since we're comparing tube and solid-state amps, I had a newbie question...

I'm in the midst of compiling a new audio set-up for a second room, and am considering both tube and solid-state integrated amps and receivers. My usage in this room will be about 30% music, 70% video games. Now, most of the video games that I play are music/rhythm games, where timing is absolutely critical -- even 1 ms of lag can result in greatly decreased performance. I've been using a solid-state receiver (Denon AVR-2802) for some time, and it works great.

My question is: do tube amps have slew rates that are comparable to solid-state amps? If it takes significantly longer for a tube amp to process the signal, then they really would not be appropriate for my situation.

Virtually all SS amps are capacitor coupled. This is bandwidth limiting. This alone makes most slew rate measurements a non issue. I believe you are mistaken as to what slew rate is and how it applies to active circuits. A 1ms lag in any audio circuit puleeeeze!

 

[JoeE SP9]

And the bigger the x-former, the worse the high end.

The old Dyna tube amps were quite good at making bass, but it wasn't very accurate. You might want to browse around on Frank Van Alstine's web site (www.avahifi.com) since he did a lot of work with the old Dyna and Hafler gear.

To my mind, the best tube and the best SS gear sounds alike. It's just very neutral and clean.

It's only the lousy gear that has "tube" or "SS" characteristics.

I use radically modified Dyna and Hafler gear. My Dyna MKIII's have only the transformers and output tubes left from the originals. My Haflers have only the case heatsinks and power switch in common with the originals. I am very familiar with AVA products. They are very good. See my equipment list in member systems.

 

[Mister Crash]

Virtually all SS amps are capacitor coupled. This is bandwidth limiting. This alone makes most slew rate measurements a non issue. I believe you are mistaken as to what slew rate is and how it applies to active circuits. A 1ms lag in any audio circuit puleeeeze!

My apologies for misusing the term (I had thought it meant the lag between signal input and output). I have practically zero knowledge about circuits in general, but am familiar with the issue of video lag that plagues many high definition televisions, rendering them all but useless for my needs. I didn't know if there was an audio analogue to this, but thought it would be best to ask. I appreciate your response.

 

[JoeE SP9]

My apologies for misusing the term (I had thought it meant the lag between signal input and output). I have practically zero knowledge about circuits in general, but am familiar with the issue of video lag that plagues many high definition televisions, rendering them all but useless for my needs. I didn't know if there was an audio analogue to this, but thought it would be best to ask. I appreciate your response.

The video audio sync problem you are talking about I first noticed years ago. I believe there are some players and or processors that can correct for this. Someone else on this site may be more informative than I about this.

Slew rate, is measured in volts per microsecond and usually refers to the output transistors.

Please excuse any rudeness that may have been in a previous response.

 

[alan monro]

.....I would like to hear comments from those who have owned both and experienced both....no conjecture, please......

forget the idea of using 'valve amps' as they belong in the museum. I used to make valve amps in the 60's. The valves were expensive also, the transformers,power, output and chokes. After the construction of the amps, I was left with a low power, distorted, humming, hissing monster with microphonic valves. They also produced heaps of heat. When I made the transistor amps I noticed all the valve faults non existant. A much cleaner sound, such as the nasty sound of records compared to the clean sounds of a cd.
Kind regards Alan

 

[JoeE SP9]

forget the idea of using 'valve amps' as they belong in the museum. I used to make valve amps in the 60's. The valves were expensive also, the transformers,power, output and chokes. After the construction of the amps, I was left with a low power, distorted, humming, hissing monster with microphonic valves. They also produced heaps of heat. When I made the transistor amps I noticed all the valve faults non existant. A much cleaner sound, such as the nasty sound of records compared to the clean sounds of a cd.
Kind regards Alan

I use valve amps and a valve preamp. I and everyone who has heard them are very happy with the sound. I don't hear any hum, hiss or any unwanted noise. I like vinyl also. Some of my, no, a lot of my vinyl sounds better than a RBCD.

 

[mulester7]

.....has anyone experienced a McIntosh MC126 solid-state amp that has 6 inputs and 6 outputs for six channels of amp power?....no blue gauges, six sets of red "led" lights on the front..