Tube Amplifier Sound Characteristics

@atmasphere Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I love your statement that The last thing the industry wants is for the buyer to know what the amps sound like. They spend a lot of time trying to tell you that they don't sound like anything at all. So True!!

But as we all know sometimes when we insert different equipment into our systems, the sound changes. I have to admit I don't know what "true neutral" is. How would I know? I admit I love distortion, not sure I can tell you exactly but when I hear it I melt. Me personally find that the tube power amps sound better TO ME. Thats all that matters if if I like what I hear whether it is even or odd order harmonics.

Too bad my speakers ( My DIY design) are 4 ohm. I guess I can build an 8 ohm version.

@kw6 I agree the integrated are really good. I remember last year I was at a audio dealer showroom and he said he was putting on an integrated and I snickered and then heard it and was amazed how far they have come. I personally think it is the wave of the future as the demographics and industry have changed.

But as we all know sometimes when we insert different equipment into our systems, the sound changes. I have to admit I don't know what "true neutral" is. How would I know?

@jimbones The only way I know isn't easy. Get some great microphones and record an ensemble of some kind- and then have it on whatever media you prefer. That way you know how it should sound because you were there when the recording was made.


Otherwise you play natural recordings that have good merit and listen for the things that they are known for. As those merits improve (and lessor recordings don't get worse) when you change a component, you'll know you are on the right path or pretty close.

Man, I love when @atmasphere joins a discussion! I really appreciate learning the “behind the scenes” details from someone who truly KNOWS! I don’t have much to contribute in terms of what one hears as a result of electronics design, but I can say this: the only way to know what a component sounds like, is to insert it into one’s own system and listen. That seems obvious, and it is stated here often, but its importance is still undervalued. “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover” (or a component by it’s circuit), is very appropriate in audio. I’ve been surprised many times by how something sounded, as a result of my expectations suggesting one thing, but then reality showing me those expectations were wrong. And that goes both ways: expecting great, but hearing mediocre.. and expecting mediocre, but hearing great

Well done, Ralph! Cheers,

Spencer