What is the advantage of using pentode versus triode? I have an Ayon CD player and integrated amp and have switched from one to the other and not been able to tell the difference. Can someone enlighten me, please? Thank you, Penonome
I have the Ayon Triton int amp. For jazz and vocal, I prefer triode mode for romantic presentation. For rock or hip hop, I prefer pentode mode which has better bass slam and grunt.
When you have a setup that allows you to switch between triode and pentode, you should understand that the amplifier is likely optimized for pentode rather than triode.
Triodes have a lower output impedance and so will need a lower turns ratio on the output transformer. Its really unlikely that is being dealt with properly in most switchable designs.
To answer the question though, triodes are the most linear form of amplification. Pentodes are not so linear, and usually require feedback to keep distortion to a reasonable level. Feedback is not perfect and always causes the amplifier to sound brighter even though it may not affect bandwidth. So a lot of triode amplifier designers don't use it because they can get smoother sound.
So there is a lot more here than just operating a pentode in triode mode!
I think the most pronounced differences you will hear will be in midrange/upper-midrange tonality and, if you have a well set up system, the imaging, which in pentode should be more forward and pronounced in the mid-range. Triode (in those amps I have which allow selection) usually is more recessed in the mid-range, and has a recessed soundstage and (in my stuff) more narrow as well. FWIW.
It think generalities about what you "should" from different designs in triode or pentode is pushing the edge of what can be predicted. Well, over the edge, actually.
For what it's worth, in all but a very few cases, when high-end audio amplifiers label themselves pentode, they're actually ultralinear in operation.
Ultralinear is a combination / compromise between triode and pentode. You could argue it's the best of both worlds. Or, you might argue it's the worst of both worlds.
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