Tubes... what do they do?...

So Pauly...what testing results or guidelines do you use or suggest one should use to determine the difference between a good tube amp and bad tube amp? How should one inteprete the tangible results of the testings?

11-16-06: Cdwallace “what testing results or guidelines do you use or suggest one should use to determine the difference between a good tube amp and bad tube amp?”

Use the most complex and most accurate audio evaluation devices known to man - your ears.

As a bit of an education, have a look at http://www.high-endaudio.com/. Arthur is somewhat opinionated, but has a wealth of knowledge and experience and you may just end up learning something.

Thanks Paul. I also found this doc to be useful as well, back when I wanted to research the anatomy and function of a typical SET amp. This also includes many of the scientific strategies and practical analysis of the tube amp, which also produces tangible conclusive results.

http://www.next-power.net/next-tube/articles/Cheever/cheever.pdf

I must admit, even though I'm not a fan of tube amplification, this document was very eductional regarding the practical applications many of today's tube amp manufactors use to test their products before release to the market.

This is just one of many available. I'll see if I can find more and post them.

I'm glad to see there is more than one person who is into education regardless of how much experience one has.

Good looking out Pauly! : )

Enjoy!

Its amazing whats available on Google.

Check out the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_sound

Here's another good link to review.

This covers both arguments, so to speak.

http://stereophile.com/thinkpieces/165/index.html