This is an interesting thread. But has anyone yet answered the question, "What's the point then of having tubes?"
I won't talk much about neutrality and/or transparency or the issues of distortion, etc., as much of this can be rather subjective. But what tubes do for me is simply recreate the portrayal of space, the harmonic textures and decays. It's been a few years since I have heard some solid-state-based "audiophile" systems, and these were not even close to much lower cost tube based systems in the context of these sonic attributes. I have to believe this is inherent with solid state devices.
I have done a lot of experimenting with Mullard and Telefunken 12ax7 and 6DJ8/6922 tubes in Aesthetix Io and Callisto models. When these models started with Sovtek tubes, and immediately changed to a mixture of Tele/Mullard, the overall character of the sound was very similar. I can relate to what Mechans says about his highly modified SP6B. But what the tube changes did was take these models from a very good level to a stellar level. For $1000 or so, I made improvements here that would have cost 10x as much on a similar scale with solid state designs.....and still, the SS design would not come close to the attributes noted. SS diehards would claim I added all sorts of distortions to the system. But when I go upstairs and hit a piano key, the end result indicates to me something is very "right" with the change.
The nice thing about tubes is tuning a system to one's preferences. I do not think of this as synergy as this implies a perfect match. Rather, it is all about achieving a balance of many sonic attributes most important to each of us.
If I want more energy and dynamics on the top with a 6922 tube, I choose the Mullard. But the side-effect is a fatter midrange. A change to the Tele and I have greater tonal coherency, a little less life on the top but more extended low-end. Which is more accurate or neutral or transparent? Who knows as I am judging the result based on the rest of the system which is also loaded with tubes. And the same with the 12ax7. The Tele 12ax7 brings out magical bloom in the Io but with the Callisto, for me anyway, the Mullard 12ax7 brings on an authoritative and dynamic presentation that is wonderful.
I can put all these tubes in a CAT Ultimate preamp's line and phono stages and hear these same differences between tube brands. The fundamental sonic signature and strengths/weaknesses of each preamp design carries on as I change from one tube brand to the other. I simply get greater refinements and a little more emphasis in one direction (dynamics/warmth) or another (coherency) when I try these differening tube models. This is something I can not do with a SS product nor a product that uses the 6H30 "super" tube.
The key for me has been to find a product (in stock form) that really caught my attention. The CAT and Aesthetix models are about as different as any two I have heard and I owned ARC and BAT preamps for a combined 17 years until going with Aesthetix. Choose the model that feels right and then play with tubes to perhaps bring out a little more magic or alter the tonality to your own liking. This to me is the point of owning tube gear.
John
I won't talk much about neutrality and/or transparency or the issues of distortion, etc., as much of this can be rather subjective. But what tubes do for me is simply recreate the portrayal of space, the harmonic textures and decays. It's been a few years since I have heard some solid-state-based "audiophile" systems, and these were not even close to much lower cost tube based systems in the context of these sonic attributes. I have to believe this is inherent with solid state devices.
I have done a lot of experimenting with Mullard and Telefunken 12ax7 and 6DJ8/6922 tubes in Aesthetix Io and Callisto models. When these models started with Sovtek tubes, and immediately changed to a mixture of Tele/Mullard, the overall character of the sound was very similar. I can relate to what Mechans says about his highly modified SP6B. But what the tube changes did was take these models from a very good level to a stellar level. For $1000 or so, I made improvements here that would have cost 10x as much on a similar scale with solid state designs.....and still, the SS design would not come close to the attributes noted. SS diehards would claim I added all sorts of distortions to the system. But when I go upstairs and hit a piano key, the end result indicates to me something is very "right" with the change.
The nice thing about tubes is tuning a system to one's preferences. I do not think of this as synergy as this implies a perfect match. Rather, it is all about achieving a balance of many sonic attributes most important to each of us.
If I want more energy and dynamics on the top with a 6922 tube, I choose the Mullard. But the side-effect is a fatter midrange. A change to the Tele and I have greater tonal coherency, a little less life on the top but more extended low-end. Which is more accurate or neutral or transparent? Who knows as I am judging the result based on the rest of the system which is also loaded with tubes. And the same with the 12ax7. The Tele 12ax7 brings out magical bloom in the Io but with the Callisto, for me anyway, the Mullard 12ax7 brings on an authoritative and dynamic presentation that is wonderful.
I can put all these tubes in a CAT Ultimate preamp's line and phono stages and hear these same differences between tube brands. The fundamental sonic signature and strengths/weaknesses of each preamp design carries on as I change from one tube brand to the other. I simply get greater refinements and a little more emphasis in one direction (dynamics/warmth) or another (coherency) when I try these differening tube models. This is something I can not do with a SS product nor a product that uses the 6H30 "super" tube.
The key for me has been to find a product (in stock form) that really caught my attention. The CAT and Aesthetix models are about as different as any two I have heard and I owned ARC and BAT preamps for a combined 17 years until going with Aesthetix. Choose the model that feels right and then play with tubes to perhaps bring out a little more magic or alter the tonality to your own liking. This to me is the point of owning tube gear.
John