Maybe the comment doesn't make sense but the sound sure does. The VRE beat out my Kondo M1000 all tube unit (which retailed at close to 90k) and yes has more of a tube sound than ss sound IMHO.
(Dealer disclaimer)
(Dealer disclaimer)
Sound of transformers in preamps?
Rsimms, yes, single-ended tube circuits are known for 2nd ordered harmonic distortion, which gives them a lusher sound. This is the same effect a transformer can impart. Although it is pleasantly euphonic, the distortion does impair transparency/detail. Philipwu, generally speaking resistors are more stable with respect to frequency! I'm pretty sure the reason transformers are turning up in preamps is just above in this post. |
Yep, it's a fetish. If you want colorama maximus, loss of transparency and destruction of musical timing and loss of coherency then by all means buy more stuff with transformers in it. Transformers = hysteresis distortion, bandwidth limitations, phase shifts that differ at different frequencies, even order distortion ( in single ended applications ). This article gives you a good insight - http://www.jensen-transformers.com/an/Audio%20Transformers%20Chapter.pdf |
Dover, thanks for the link to the transformer information. That was very informative. It is probably a little like finding out how sausages are made though. One part of the picture lost is the problems created if you dont use transformers. The alternatives have a lot of issues and problems too. One time at NASA I tried to find a linear capacitor. That was hard to find. I would think that isolation would be a very significant advantage of transformers, especially in a preamp. Bob |