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Tube Amplifier Sound Characteristics

I wish there were a scatter diagram one could put together of tube amp sound qualities. The reason I say this is that today's tube amplification can range from sounding warm and romantic to cool and solid state like.
I like the sound of VTL, Quicksilver and Antique Sound Labs. I am in the market for a tube power amp and as I shop I see where more and more amps do NOT sound like tubes at all. So where would the sound characteristics of the 3 amps I mentioned be? For example I was considering the ARC Ref75SE but owners tell me it is SS sounding. Your thoughts are appreciated.
jimbones
jimbones OP
256 posts
 
Thank you @knotscott. I demoed 3 amps in my system in order of preference VTL, Quicksilver, Carver. I dont need thunderous bass. I want naturalness of strings and woodwinds/brass. I actually like bass that is a little bit round. I run GR Research servo subs so they are tight tight tight lol. It's funny when I got my RP7 out of the box it was very cool sounding and I remember myself saying "If I wanted SS I would have bought SS!" haha. I retubed with NOS Baldwin black plate to tone them down a bit. I had someone who owns a Ref75SE say it sounds like a SS amp.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Jump on VAC ASAP!!
bpoletti
1,553 posts
 
A well-designed amp, tube, SS, whatever, should not have a particular characteristic related to it's underlying circuity.  They should be honest to the music and reproduce sound without coloration or other distortion.  SS sound or tube sound just describes distortion.

Unfortunately, some people enjoy distortion thinking it sounds "musical" or some other bs term.  Whereas true musical reproduction means reproducing the signal AS RECORDED without distortion.  
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
"Unfortunately, some people enjoy distortion thinking it sounds "musical" or some other bs term. Whereas true musical reproduction means reproducing the signal AS RECORDED without distortion."

I have seen this position stated before. As far as I'm aware every amplifying device has a signature or unique sonic fingerprint/character. This includes all tubes and transistors.

 Hi @bpoletti what specific amplifier or audio component are you referencing that is capable of reproducing "signal as recorded without distortion" ? I'd love the opportunity to hear them.
Charles  
knotscott
921 posts
 
@ bpoletti

A well-designed amp, tube, SS, whatever, should not have a particular characteristic related to it’s underlying circuity. They should be honest to the music and reproduce sound without coloration or other distortion.

And yet none (or almost none) actually achieve this. They all fall short of the theoretical ideal, regardless of how well they measure.  I think the key more accurately lies in where and how the distortions occur, because some amps are simply more convincing at portraying a music signal while driving a speaker.
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