2. amps-preamps
  3. 160039-671

Neutral Sounding Tube Amps - what gives?

If I'm in the market for a tube power amp or preamp, it's because I enjoy the sheer musicality of tubes, the romance they bring, the warmth, the inner-glow, the bloom, the whatever the heck you want to call it.

So why, when I'm reading current reviews and forum comments on the latest tube gear, has it suddenly become a good thing to encounter modern tube gear that sounds 'neutral,' 'transparent,' 'uncolored,' etc.? These were not the attributes that drew me to use 'valves' in the '80s (A classic Leak Stereo 20 driving Quad ESL57s), and it's not what I want from my tube gear today.  

Who changed the rules? Did anyone else get the memo?

With the above in mind, what do you consider to be the best tube preamp offering a 'classic' tube sound, but built in the last decade, say in the $10K new range? I'm not shopping, I'm just curious to see if I'm missing something.

Cheers

Rooze
128x128rooze
erik_squires
16,398 posts
 
I can't help but wonder about how much of this trend has happened due to the ubiquitous red Wima caps everywhere.

In my mind, the sound of a tube preamp or amp is in very large part due to signal and coupling caps.  I think I once called a tube preamp as a bunch of caps surrounded by circuits, and I more or less stand by that statement.

A good, very specific brand example is ARC. The ARC products I've gotten to hear over the last 5-6 years where very different sounding than the one's from 20 years ago. To my ears they were always a little sterile, bright and thin, while now they sound closer to Parasound.  Warm, more robust but not colorful.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,960 posts
 
I can't help but wonder about how much of this trend has happened due to the ubiquitous red Wima caps everywhere.
No, but coupling caps certain do bring their own issues to the table. That is why we employ a lot of direct-coupling, including at the outputs of both our amps and preamps. That makes them more transparent, but doesn't make them more 'solid state'.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,231 posts
 
@ebm .
You're. Sorry for being pedantic.
If you'd like to stay on full time and correct the grammar in ebm's posts, we have a position for you. I will warn you, there is a lot of overtime and it is a thankless job.

Oz



rooze's avatar
rooze OP
643 posts
 
Just stumbled upon this thread from a few months back https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/why-don-t-tube-amps-sound-like-tubes-anymore

At least now I know there are other folks thinking the same thing about the evolution of tube 'sound'.

I can go back to my corner now, thanks.


gdnrbob
4,460 posts
 
@ozzy62 ,
Sorry you feel that way. But, I hope you don't run into that Panda.
You know, he: 'eats, shoot and leaves'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eats,_Shoots_%26_Leaves
B
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