Topic: TUBES!!??

[jerazis]

  So I was runnin an ART-SLA 1 its a 100 watt transparent amp. Sending the sound to it is a lynx l-22 sound card. Any way we did an A-B test ART versus the Dynaco mark III tubes. Night and day difference. The tubes made me want to put the ART in the closet. Now for the meat of the question. Are the tubes sound colored? It seems to me that tubes in general have been created to preserve the true WAVE form all the way through there circuitry. I do listen for leisure but mainly I listen to clean up the shows I tape or what I transfer for friends. So the ART does have great specs as far as harmonic distortion and things of that nature, I believe ART is said to be some of the more transparent gear you can buy for its price. I guess I just want to now what is giving me a more true sound for editing the tubes or the ART SLA1?   BUT man The tubes just sound soooo damn good!!!!!!!!

thanks jeremy

[Jimna]

Tubes=color

most people prefer that color though, your not alone.

[runonce]

You will eventually get tired of that sound...

When you first switch - it seems glorious - but after a while, you'll start to think everything sounds the same...and you start to miss the inner-detail...

I've been up and down with tube preamps, poweramps...I always comeback to solid state...

If you like tube sound - look at older solid state gear like McKintosh...

Isnt that ART more of a PA amp?

[som]

You will eventually get tired of that sound...

When you first switch - it seems glorious - but after a while, you'll start to think everything sounds the same...and you start to miss the inner-detail...

Not necessarily.  I certainly don't think everything sounds the same. And tubes can provide *plenty* of "inner detail".

[jerazis]

http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?type=85&cat=8&id=56   

So that is the ART i have ^^^

great specs for the price. My friend who gave me the Dynaco mark III tubes says if there is a flaw in your sound you will hear it with the tubes. I've been lead to believe the tubes have way more detail than the solid state. I know with our A-B test it seemed like all the sound from the solid state was in one place like all jammed into the center sound field. When we went to the tubes the sound was spread more equal. I would say the biggest issue with the tubes in a mastering environment would be the fact that the output and response can change do to amount of time they run for. This being the case even after the warm up time. However I do feel like it is a more true sound/representation of the music.     

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

You will eventually get tired of that sound...

When you first switch - it seems glorious - but after a while, you'll start to think everything sounds the same...and you start to miss the inner-detail...

You need to see an audiologist.

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I've been lead to believe the tubes have way more detail than the solid state. I know with our A-B test it seemed like all the sound from the solid state was in one place like all jammed into the center sound field. When we went to the tubes the sound was spread more equal.

I think the difference you heard might be better attributed to the design of the amps rather than tubes being more detailed. There are some amazing amps made using tubes and solid state.

Also from your first post, tubes aren't really "created to preserve the true WAVE form all the way through there circuitry".  They are designed simply to provide gain and within their intended operating range they should perform identically to a solid state gain stage. With tubes you generally get more noise and a more narrow frequency bandwidth so typically the intended range of tubes is not defined to be as wide as that of a solid state device.  But both solid state and tubes operating within their intended range will perfectly preserve the original analog wave form.

[Jimna]

You need to see an audiologist.

[Tim]

You will eventually get tired of that sound...

When you first switch - it seems glorious - but after a while, you'll start to think everything sounds the same...and you start to miss the inner-detail...

I've been up and down with tube preamps, poweramps...I always comeback to solid state...

If you like tube sound - look at older solid state gear like McKintosh...

Isnt that ART more of a PA amp?

I absolutely could not disagree with you more...

what Michael said

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I don't necessarily disagree with his preference for solid state.  A lot of people prefer ss over tubes for the difference in sound, the lower power dissipation and maintenance. What I don't agree with is the "everything sounds the same" statement. 

I never had that experience with my rig. I'm interested to know which equipment he used to arrive at that conclusion.

I know a lot of people really dig the McIntosh and some of the British speakers but I've always thought they had a reputation for a more laid back sound than the American gear.  Maybe that's what he didn't like?

[Jimna]

what rig are you listening to these days, michael?

[Tim]

correct, personal tastes are personal tastes - he's entitled to his and I to mine. I disagreed with his blanket statement that someone would get tired of the tube sound, that things all sound the same and loss of detail.

[StuStu]

I'm currently running tube mono's and a tube pre. I love the sound. I love ss too. If you have a tube rig and aren't quite thrilled with it, try changing tubes if you're not happy with the current sound. It can make a huge difference. Like most anything in our given hobbies, it's a matter of preference.

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

what rig are you listening to these days, michael?

same as before.  Premier11+MF2250 passive biamped to VR4JR.

since we moved into an office and I don't get to work at home, I've been listening very infrequently because I seldom have the house to myself.  Until my living or work situation I'm doing most of my listening from the iphone while commuting. 

I can't really justify upgrading anything until the room gets fixed and I have more time.  But I really want to try some cary monoblocks.

[nickgregory]

what rig are you listening to these days, michael?

same as before.  Premier11+MF2250 passive biamped to VR4JR.

since we moved into an office and I don't get to work at home, I've been listening very infrequently because I seldom have the house to myself.  Until my living or work situation I'm doing most of my listening from the iphone while commuting. 

I can't really justify upgrading anything until the room gets fixed and I have more time.  But I really want to try some cary monoblocks.

let me know if you need someone to make sure the gear gets exercised properly...I am here for you