2. analog
  3. 1047573724

Tube myths

Many have asked me the same question, "How does the tube sound?" Well, the sound of the tube, is affected by numerous factors, such as circuit interaction, voltage applied to the tube, system setup, use of the tube, etc. All these things, combine, to make the sonics that one's hears, in his system. A bright sounding tube, in a mellow system, will appear to sound neutral. A tube that accentuates, the presence region, in a room with a dip, in that same region, will sound neutral. A neutral sounding tube, in a etched sounding system, will pass the etched sound along, and appear to sound etched. See what I am getting at? It's very hard, to know how a tube will sound, to the end user, in his/her room, and his/her system, based on how it sounds, in yours.
Different tube manufacturers, had a "house sound", whereas the tubes, they manufactured, tended to follow. But to what degree, the end user, will hear this sound, is solely influenced, by the various factors.
Another question frequently asked, "Is the tube NOS?" Manufacturers published a "spec sheet", that listed a set of parameters, that determined, a NOS(New Old Stock) tube. In order to determine if a tube meets this specification, one must determine, the test conditions, and invariably, test for voltage gain(emission). The voltage applied to the tube, must meet the manufacturers specs, to determine, if the emissions, are what the manufacturers specified. The NOS spec, is 99% of the time, lower, than the actual emissions, of a true NOS tube. A true NOS, unused tube, tested, according to the manufacturers spec, will almost always exceed the NOS spec, by approx 10%. A tube with an emission reading of 100%, tested accordingly, usually indicates, some use. However small, it is still used. Not knowing the history, of the tube, it takes, a true emission tester, that the applied voltage, can be varied, and a working knowledge(experience) to determine, to any truthful degree, that a tube is NOS. Mutual conductance testing, is a great way to match tubes(except power tubes), but is very unreliable, in ascertaining, whether a tube is NOS. The cosmetic condition(the way a tube looks) means nothing, as far as to whether it is NOS.
I will periodically, post more info, on the various, tube myths, that are floating around the web. My best advice, is to find a tube dealer, who is willing to stand 100%, behind his products, and knowledgeable, about the product, they are offering.
fletchj
Post removed 
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Marty,
What about Rives?
I see his effort is only helpfull here even despite regulatory.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Marakanez, I'm not Marty, but I've nothing better to do at the moment - I think the difference, if there is one, is that Rives has openly declared himself to be a dealer and has placed ads in audiogon. When he gives advise to someone seeking it to try his products he has probably gone beyond the bounds - HOWEVER, i have not seen him post spontaneously to the effect that you need to consult with an expert to tune your room. This is precisely what Fletchj has done. The problem is, lets say you want to follow his advise, whom would you call - I don't know of a directory for NOS dealers which lists dealers with whom Fletchj competes and I'd bet that if you believed his disertations on tubes and were not experienced yourself you'd contact him. He is trying to create a demand for his business so he can then step in and fill the demand. And you will note that dispite all of the posts saying he is a dealer he has not declared, at least I have not seen it, that he is a NOS dealer and I believe that he has purposefully avoided it. Another thing that bothers me about his comments re tube expertise, he makes it sound like if I call him and describe my equipment he can recommend the correct tube for my application, the one that will sound best. As "sounding best" is always subjective and subect to the equipments synergy with other equipment as well as the room, are we to believe that he really has the extensive knowledge required to determine which tube is going to sound best in our system/room, that is he know how all equipment sounds and rooms sound. He implies that he can. Maybe I'm a cynic, but frankly I doubt it. Oh well, at least everyone who reads these post now know that he is a tube seller. Caveat emptor!
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
The vast majority of members do look-up on the other members' profiles and no member can "hide" the product one's selling.

It's just simply a matter of placing the right words(which I would do on Fletchj's place) at the end of his post sort-of business e-mail, name, phone or any applicable contact information - in general and in this particular case thus letting know members of ones capability to give advice and help to acquire product if neccessary. Dealing with the mass media is a tricky task and maybe after these truthfull words at the end of each post with business contact information(heck not suppose to be any home property, renting some smallest P.O.box will suffice) there will be members who will ignore and for sure there will be members who will not but the bottom-line fact will be that the truthfull information is present(want to mention Rives again) to anyone who looks-up or doesn't onto the members' profiles.

By simply looking at his or anyone's PAID adds it's tough to establish a decision for the casual tube hunter exatly identically to the one's trying to stuff the room with acoustic treatments with poor or no knowlege jumping from one dealer(or seller) to another and spending one's valuable time realy turning a hobby onto the hell or insanity.

It's then all up to the member to make a decision based on feedback from the others.

The moderation guideline specifically points out about direct attempt to sell the item i.e.

--Oh! I have one for sale drop me an e-mail!--

That is not the case everybody seing with Fletchj in any of his posts.

In case with Rives I'd tell you the truth: I was firstly ingnoring his posts simply because I saw the same mentioned truthful words at the and and thought that he's just selling his product and no more but later-on I'm more and more and more learn from his posts and recommendations.

Fletchj,
In the future if you will mention your contact information at the end of EACH post you will only earn more of member's attention IF and only IF you stand and proven to stand for your product 100% or even more.
fletchj OP
91 posts
 
You know, I have taken a lot of criticism, for offering infomation, that many thought, new tube users, might find useful. Although noone seems to disagree, with the validity of the comments, they seem wholly distrustful, of my intentions. As a knowledgeable tube person, who has dealt with tubes, for over 30 years, I thought I'd pass on some simple info. Do not worry, this will not happen again. I have no need to drum up business, that is what my adversements, on Audiogon, are for. So you may thank Herman, Newbie, Viridian et al, for censoring information, that may have been pertinent, for a tube novice. Maybe they can answer some tube questions, since they seem to be so intuitive, as to ones motives. So fellow Agonners, I have been gagged, by the self righteous few, who have decided, who, and how, information, should be proffered.
More to discover