|
Post by PinkFloyd on Aug 31, 2007 22:15:58 GMT
Seems to be a trend atm.... amps with added nipples... come on folks this is "2007" valves / tubes are a backward step.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2007 23:21:15 GMT
A bit of nostalgia is fine, but if you want to hear recent music the way it was meant to be heard, adding "warmth" due to higher levels of even order harmonics is not the way to go.
I am 100% with Mike and Graham on this issue, and I clearly said so a day or 2 back.
However, if you prefer a slightly warmer sound, an amplifier using MOSFET output devices may be more to your liking. I made one of that type nearly 30 years ago and it was recently tested in DiyAudio Forum . All it really needs to do perhaps another 30 years, is a few dried out electrolytics replacing SandyK
|
|
|
Post by fanboi on Sept 1, 2007 11:33:11 GMT
I think the "warmth" aspect of thermionic valve amplification is a something of a hackneyed stereotype. As would several people I can think of whose listening skills I would rate much higher than my own - one of whose reviews is the reason I own a GSPaudio products. FWIW - the one of my friends who is also an audio nut and runs all SS gear has referred to my all valve (apart from phono stage) system as "analytical". But then, one might be forgiven for doubting your sincerity on this topic, given that you are an Xcans afficionado, some of which at least, utilise the denigrated components. Methinks I detect a stir here
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2007 12:07:39 GMT
fanboi A year or 2 ago, Silicon Chip magazine ,despite a continuing strong editorial position about the superiority of solid state over valve equipment, relented briefly and presented a 12AT7 preamplifier using the very latest circuit techniques. It had substantially higher performance than any other published valve preamplifier design. I built one of those, with refinements of the type that Mike may have used, for the sole reason of reconfirming that my complete move from valve technology to solid state many years ago,was not an error of judgement on my part. As with virtually every valve preamplifier/amplifier I have ever heard, including one costing >AU$100,000, it had the usual valve signatures of a small amount of artificial warmth ,AND intermodulation distortion, when there was a lot happening at once. The higher level of even order harmonic distortion which gives valve amplification it's "euphonic" warmth was clearly shown in the published instrument measurements. Silicon Chip magazine has since resisted pressure from some readers with views similar to your own, and "compromised" by publishing a 20W Class A solid state amplifier with a typical .0006 % distortion. This is also purportedly the lowest distortion of any published design, anywhere.
Mike is a lover of all headphone amplifiers, and appreciates each individual design on it's own unique merits.Mike may very well be having a gentle stir, but don't believe for even a moment , that he is in disagreement with Graham Slee on this subject. Alex
|
|
leo
Been here a while!
Team wtf is it?
Posts: 3,638
|
Post by leo on Sept 1, 2007 12:10:32 GMT
LONG LIVE VALVES! I do not care what you all say, the warmth a tube amp exudes can not be equaled by transistors/op-amps/mosfets. I guess if you are a rock fan and want to re-live the rock concerts then a SS may be fine. But if you like Jazz and want to be taken to an small jazz club with the dark and smoky ambiance then tubes is the way to go. Now go ahead and fire away. I am wearing my flame proof outfit. ;D You don't need your flameproof suit, everybody has different tastes and opinions regarding sound BTW I've heard some valve amps (through speakers) that sound more like transistors than they do valves some of the KT88 based valve amps with good output transformers sound quite tight,detailed with well defined bass. I've heard quite a few nice 300b SET and PP amps too, not something I could probably live with myself as a main amp but I can understand why people like them
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2007 12:16:11 GMT
Miguel Seeing you like your Maplesyrup valve amplifier so much, I would be quite happy to take the "green"Solo off your hands. Just make a small allowance for the fact that it is now "preloved", in the asking price.
Alex
|
|
leo
Been here a while!
Team wtf is it?
Posts: 3,638
|
Post by leo on Sept 1, 2007 12:23:23 GMT
EVERY valve based headphone amp I've heard so far does have this sweet signature to them, must admit I've not heard a lot of valve headphone amps though
|
|
leo
Been here a while!
Team wtf is it?
Posts: 3,638
|
Post by leo on Sept 1, 2007 12:27:41 GMT
|
|
|
Post by fanboi on Sept 1, 2007 12:52:59 GMT
fanboi A year or 2 ago, Silicon Chip magazine ,despite a continuing strong editorial position about the superiority of solid state over valve equipment, relented briefly and presented a 12AT7 preamplifier using the very latest circuit techniques. It had substantially higher performance than any other published valve preamplifier design. I built one of those, with refinements of the type that Mike may have used, for the sole reason of reconfirming that my complete move from valve technology to solid state many years ago,was not an error of judgement on my part. As with virtually every valve preamplifier/amplifier I have ever heard, including one costing >AU$100,000, it had the usual valve signatures of a small amount of artificial warmth ,AND intermodulation distortion, when there was a lot happening at once. The higher level of even order harmonic distortion which gives valve amplification it's "euphonic" warmth was clearly shown in the published instrument measurements. Silicon Chip magazine has since resisted pressure from some readers with views similar to your own, and "compromised" by publishing a 20W Class A solid state amplifier with a typical .0006 % distortion. This is also purportedly the lowest distortion of any published design, anywhere. Mike is a lover of all headphone amplifiers, and appreciates each individual design on it's own unique merits.Mike may very well be having a gentle stir, but don't believe for even a moment , that he is in disagreement with Graham Slee on this subject. Alex Consider me cowed into submission - I shall refrain from further posting of my erroneous opinions. Bye
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2007 13:31:45 GMT
fanboi After reading what kind of music you were listening to, I can see why you would enjoy listening to your valve amplifier. Years ago down in Melbourne, a friend and I heard the >AU$100,000 Ongaku valve amplifier on this type of material , and it sounded very sweet, with an excellent 3 dimensional soundstage. The only thing that upset it was someone sneakily slipping a Madonna CD (which was recorded in Q Sound) into the CD player. A good valve amplifier would certainly do justice to the type of material you mentioned. Don't be cowed into submission, Miguel knows how to bring me back to earth with a thud ! Alex
|
|
leo
Been here a while!
Team wtf is it?
Posts: 3,638
|
Post by leo on Sept 1, 2007 21:38:13 GMT
Must admit I do prefer the 12B4A over the ECC99 I've played with both of these when I was experimenting with a valve output stage for one of my diy NOS dacs. Not only the bass was lacking with the ECC99 but the 12B4A had a much better midrange IMO. The 6c45pi was an interesting valve in that application too.
|
|