Many of the most expensive tube amps/preamp have multiple tubes...6, 8, 10. If direct path is preferred in the speaker by most, why the acceptance of a glass army in one's amp/preamp?
What do you mean you dont hear it like this in a live environment? This makes no sense. I would think you would like the most true to the source system to reproduce, accurately, the way the recording of the live event sounds.
@invalid “The only problem I have with all this detail is you don't hear it like that in a live environment “
I think it is a question of emphasis. All the details are there in the live environment, but typically they don’t stand out as much as the tend to on some systems. My experience is that tube systems frequently get the emphasis right. Solid state tends to spotlight the details.
The number of tubes increased as speaker efficiency decreased. Paralleling tubes or going push pull can increase power but also can muddy the sound. As a builder of SET amps I focus on using as few tubes as possible. Each tube has its own sound due to its harmonic signature. To many harmonic signatures can lead to a softer or muddy sound. A well set up SET can be as detailed solid state amp. With the addition of a level of harmonics that keep it from becoming sterile. But you are back to using efficient tubes.
As to using a giant 50 or more watt transmitting tube. They are hard to power their heaters.
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