What the heck is bias anyway?


I'm getting a new tube amp that will need to be biased. The process of doing it seems fairly straight forward, but I am curious: what are you actually doing when you bias an amp? In english, for us technical Ludites.
grimace
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It wasn't "oversimplified." It was wrong. There is a difference. It is possible to put things in layman's terms without being wrong.

If I post something that is incorrect I hope someone jumps in and corrects it. People come her to share and learn. That is impossible if we allow errors to go unchallenged.

If Elizabeth enjoys posting misinformation as she says and that makes her feel smug then this forum is worse off for it.

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Following on this, is I put more voltage to the tube, how the sound will be impacted? Will I get louder? Or does it allow to get louder? Will I get more bass? Does it related to the power rating in the specification? Like when it say 7 wpc, is it at a particular voltage?

Thanks
Here's the classic simplified answer: Bias is to an amplifier what the engine idle speed adjustment is to a car. Set too low, there are performance issues. Set too high, and many cars and amplifiers also have performance issues, and additionally pay a price in efficiency and component life.

Now I'm admittedly somebody who has a penchant for verbose technical ramblings . . . but really, was it that difficult to answer the OP's question?
I think of the bias current in a tube amp as being similar to the fuel required to keep an engine idling. The engine must be running (idling) prior to applying throttle to accelerate (voltage). Maybe over simplified but works for my mechanical engineering brain.

I have a Cary SLI-80 that I must use a meter to set the bias current and it is very easy to do. I wouldn't freet it and it doesn't sound as if you are. Enjoy your new amp it is a beautiful piece to behold.

Chuck
Well, whatever the hell it is, it sounds really nice!

Thanks for the answers and food fight! :-)