Tube Amplifier Sound Characteristics

I love the idea of a chart locating the sound characteristics of different equipment! One could start by locating house sound on different dimensions. Tonal balance, detail, warmth… great idea.

The ARC Ref75SE is a very high end and much loved amplifier. It does not sound like solid state… on the other hand, the moment you hear it it does not broadcast “I am a tube amp”. It has the house sound of Audio Research. It is a high end audiophile amp that is musical and accurate. It is highly detailed with great and strong mid-range bloom and articulate bass. I know of a number of people upgrading from that amp, but can’t bring themselves to let it go. Unless you are looking for syrupy bass and rolled off top end then this is a fantastic amp which you could easily keep for a lifetime.
Click on my user ID to see my systems… note there is some Audio Research gear in it.

Also remember the sound you get out of your system is the sum of all components.

Everyone focuses on the tubes, because they are so obvious and easy to change- and there are indeed differences between tubes. But tube amps really are no different than anything else in that everything matters. Equally important as tubes are transformers. Equally important as transformers are diodes, caps, circuit design, etc.  

If tube amps were made with diodes that plugged into receptacles on the top that could be changed by hand as easily as tubes then mark my words everyone would be talking about diode rolling and the virtues of amps build around their favorite diodes. Because I have swapped and upgraded diodes and believe me the difference is huge and obvious and can take a flat grainy edgy amp and make it liquid warm and deep. 

In other words it really is just like ghdprentice says above, a system is the sum of all components. Only thing to add, this carries straight on through to the components used within the components.

@jimbones

OK I should have stated that I am new to tube power amps. That explains a lot of my ignorance on the subject and I apologize.

Don’t apologize for what you don’t know....especially when you’re posting questions to learn.

One of the common themes I find with decent tube amps when utilized with a revealing system, regardless of the tonal characteristics of a particular tube, is the resolution and clarity through the mids and treble that creates a more palpable convincing soundstage that transforms me from the couch to the recording session....obviously it does vary from amp to amp, and tube to tube, but that's one of the stronger general traits that draw me to tube gear.  Many tube amps don’t have overpowering authoritative deep bass compared to a high watt SS amp (some do), but many have outstanding micro dynamics that create more concussive transient attacks from instruments like strings, piano, percussion and drums, guitar plucks, etc., that are part of that convincing transformation. Even my $250 Nobsound amp had some of those characterics....beefier, more prestigious amp circuits do also, but even more so. At least that’s part of what I hear from my tube amps that keeps me craving the sound of tube gear.

All amps sound different to varying degrees.
There is that.
Then you express a desire to find the sound you like. Only you know.
There is that.
A chart might be a good idea depending on the sonic integrity of whoever makes it.

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.