2. amps-preamps
  3. 185385-2439

A Black Box to Solve Everything

Tubes vs. solid state?? There's a thread out right now about this exact question (there always is), but I didn't want to take it off subject. So my question is; is there a device that could go between the preamp and amp that has variable harmonic distortion capabilities? I know there are tube buffers, but they are not really addressing the point because they use line level signals and don't have the distortion of a good 300B tube being pushed beyond its limits. My thinking is that of a black box with switches and knobs to adjust harmonic distortion to mimic different tube types. It would also have to have a bypass switch so we could readily and quickly A/B the thing. Any ideas?

koestner
koestner OP
670 posts
 

@8th-note

I also have a BSG QOL, and I wasn't implying that it could do this task I am seeking, but rather this device I am inquiring about will probably end up as popular as the QOL. That is to say almost extinct. 

asctim
491 posts
 

Listening to tube amps, I don’t hear the effects as desirable like some people do. It does seem though that a solid state amp can be made to sound much more like a tube amp than the other way around. So, I’m told you can run the output of a low powered SET tube amp through a voltage divider and into the input of a solid state amp, and then run the solid state amp out to the speakers. What you get is the sound of the tube amp sans its interaction effects with the speaker, which it is now buffered from by the solid state amp. So you’re hearing your tube amp playing into a very stable and high impedance load, which is what it would prefer. The real, messy impedance load of the speaker is much better handled by the solid state amp.

koestner OP
670 posts
 

Very Interesting asctim.

slantgut
16 posts
 

If you're looking to find what distortion signature you like here is an exercise I went through myself. In a DAW, I used Reaper, instantiate a tone generator plugin, saturator and an EQ with an analyzer. All on the same channel.  I used Fab Filter Saturn 2 and Pro Q.  All of these have a trial period long enough to do these tests. Start experimenting with tones to see what the harmonics look like. Make some presets with varying degrees of Second, Third etc...harmonics added.  Then play your music through your presets.  You'll probably develop a preference.  Then select equipment that tests similar to your preference.  

Generally speaking, if the signature is plainly audible on familiar music it's most likely a poor design or broken. Differences should be very subtle in well designed/built gear. 

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