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Tube versus SS


Since I just installed some rather expensive NOS 6922 Telefunken tubes in my Phono-preamp, that yielded outstanding results, I decided to compare CD to Phono.

From the best of "Jacintha", CD, I selected "Danny Boy". Her voice emerged deep center stage from a jet black noise free back ground. It sounded more like what I expected from the analog.

That was followed by special LP's of Dinah Washington that had recently arrived. Those LP's were everything I expected with the NOS 6922 Telefunken Tubes in the Phono, but the surprise was the fact that I couldn't tell the two apart; both were outstanding.

What may surprise you, is the fact that I attribute these outstanding results from the COVID 19 "lock-down" which has given us the quietest "grid" ever in history. That means those of us with lesser means have the same AC power as the richest who can afford expensive AC power "clean uppers".

BTW, I have made extensive comparisons to recordings made before and after, the lock-down that confirm just how much of a difference it's made. I must admit that I had doubts about expensive power conditioners, but this confirms that fantastic results come from taming the wild AC.

It's my belief that we can not achieve better results than we have from the current "quiet grid", which means power conditioner or no power conditioner, we are all presently getting the same results.

Could it be that the dominant factor when comparing tube and SS when they both are of comparable quality is "The quality of the AC"?
   
orpheus10
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
     I thought that because people were staying home, they were using more A/C, or more heat, cooking more, using more hot water, etc.  OR?  Do you live in the midst of a bunch of factories or malls?     It has always been my opinion that a few minutes listening helps to psychologically isolate out the sounds we do not like, which dealers tell you is a break in period.  To support this claim, I have three complete systems, two using excellent electronics and sources.  When I switch systems, it takes a few minutes for it to sound "just right", even if I have intentionally left them both on.
     When I use my Polk XM tuner, it takes longer for my ear-brain connection to begin hearing the music, instead of the faults, and even longer  for my TV system to inure a nice sound into my brain from the horrible signal and from the mediocre, at best, Rotel FM/preamp combo (powering a Bryston through B&W's) that I paid $15 for because the tuner supposedly did not work.     For more on this, check out "The Skeptic" magazine (online)  for the article "Audiophoolery", in which it is suggested that the break in time of 90 days is suggested because that is how long your credit card company will issue a refund against the will of the retailer.   
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unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
980 posts
 
Speculative, anecdotal at best with regard to COVID19. 

My stereo (just dated myself: who uses “stereo” anymore? It’s “audio”) sounds horrible when it’s humid out. Does everybody else’s? I don’t think so. 

As for ss v tube: ss sounds less colored more accurate, but flat to me. Tube more dimensional, lifelike, but with “idiosyncrasies”. We all hear differently, have our preferences. I prefer the later. 

unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
980 posts
 
Speculative, anecdotal at best with regard to COVID19. 

My stereo (just dated myself: who uses “stereo” anymore? It’s “audio”) sounds horrible when it’s humid out. Does everybody else’s? I don’t think so. 

As for ss v tube: ss sounds less colored more accurate, but flat to me. Tube more dimensional, lifelike, but with “idiosyncrasies”. We all hear differently, have our preferences. I prefer the later. 

partytimemusic1
1 posts
 
Many "observant" people have noticed that on holidays, and late night their rigs sounded better. 
Orpheus10 - could it be sir that on holidays and late nights, the objective listening is done under the influence of ones favorite recreational stimulant or narcotic? 
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