Best measuring tube pre amp?

[Mnyb]

Here , this chart gives an good idea about what messing with different regions can get you .

 

[4D_Coaxial_Cube]

We have a thread here about that, with listening tests, as a matter of fact.

Where be this thread? I wont take another listening test after trying one before and realizing its pretty disappointing, but I do want to read through the info and learn. Thanks.

 

[4D_Coaxial_Cube]

get one good amp .

Ordered this for breakfast this morning.

yum

Cant wait to see what this class D does with my speakers. I have a Fosi V3 that gets to around 100db before break up happens so I guess this is the solution until I get this red clean beast in the rack.

 

[fpitas]

Where be this thread? I wont take another listening test after trying one before and realizing its pretty disappointing, but I do want to read through the info and learn. Thanks.

Do we crave distortion?

For some time now, I have been running @pkane's PKHarmonic VST which has the ability to add various amounts of harmonic distortion. I have also played with some Exciter VST plugins which (unlike PK) allow for targeted addition of harmonic distortion - for example, you can add high frequency...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Beta Test: DISTORT - audibility of distortions

DeltaWave beta-test was a huge success, thanks to all of you! This new beta-test is again, only for the brave and the curious :) Introducing DISTORT - free software designed to help determine the audibility thresholds of various audio distortions with your own equipment, at your own pace, with...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[DMill]

I like tubes because they are cool. I’m always confused by people who say I’m looking for a tube like sound. I’m not. I prefer a very neutral sound and despise “tube bloom” or distortion. I like them because they are cool and when properly done will be completely audibly transparent. I realize they are a relic. It’s a hobby, so you can fiddle with tubes and have a little fun or just buy a Hypex and be done. No wrong answer here. I’ve heard both. Pretty hard to tell the difference in the best of them, just saying.

 

[4D_Coaxial_Cube]

I like tubes because they are cool. I’m always confused by people who say I’m looking for a tube like sound. I’m not. I prefer a very neutral sound and despise “tube bloom” or distortion. I like them because they are cool and when properly done will be completely audibly transparent. I realize they are a relic. It’s a hobby, so you can fiddle with tubes and have a little fun or just buy a Hypex and be done. No wrong answer here. I’ve heard both. Pretty hard to tell the difference in the best of them, just saying.

How can they be completely transparent if they introduce distortion?

 

[fpitas]

How can they be completely transparent if they introduce distortion?

They don't necessarily have to introduce audible distortion. That's mostly modern tube gear made for the boutique sound. Once upon a time the best tube gear was transparent.

 

[4D_Coaxial_Cube]

View attachment 307559Here , this chart gives an good idea about what messing with different regions can get you .

Hey this is great. Really. Thanks.

 

[4D_Coaxial_Cube]

They don't necessarily have to introduce audible distortion. That's mostly modern tube gear made for the boutique sound. Once upon a time tube gear was transparent.

Just curious but what do you base this claim off of? I mean, is there any objective way to show such a claim to be true?

 

[fpitas]

Just curious but what do you base this claim off of? I mean, is there any objective way to show such a claim to be true?

Measurements on older gear. Also, ask the tube designers here. Tubes do not have to be distortion boxes, that simply sells.

 

[4D_Coaxial_Cube]

Measurements on older gear. Also, ask the tube designers here. Tubes do not have to be distortion boxes, that simply sells.

Okay, do you know any gear to look into thats older and is transparent, particularly a preamp heh. I am looking at the Freya+ but would like an older one minus headphone amp if possible.

 

[Deleted member 21219]

How can they be completely transparent if they introduce distortion?

All circuits introduce distortion. The question is how much or how little.

"Transparent" is a tricky word. There is no codified standard to use as a reference.

Jim

 

[Thomas_A]

This is one example, not sure if the report is visible though:

https://user.faktiskt.io/Morello/Tube-preamp/Morello-tube-preamp-measurements.pdf

From this thread:

faktiskt.io • Visa tråd - GDS-projekt: rörförsteg - LEVERANS!!

 

[BDWoody]

Just curious but what do you base this claim off of? I mean, is there any objective way to show such a claim to be true?

If you look at advertisements from 'back in the day,' you'll see that they were trying as best they could with the technology at hand to reproduce the signal as cleanly as possible.

Compared to today's SS numbers, these may not be great, but it is unlikely those distortion numbers would be audible with real music. What's left is whatever the noise component is, but I don't think you are arguing that the noise contribution is what makes tubes special.

They are 'guaranteed for the protection of quality sound.' I'm not interested in a one size fits all fuzzbox. Hi-Fidelity and all...

 

[DMill]

How can they be completely transparent if they introduce distortion?

Didn’t say they were completely transparent. I said they were audibly transparent. My point is if you need testing equipment to detect any noticeable difference then it’s most likely a pretty well designed piece of tube gear. To me it’s sort of like a DAC with 120 sinad vs one with 100. You can measure it, but you can’t hear it. Admittedly, tube pre amps seem to measure better than amplifiers by comparison to SS.

 

[Salt]

But you are creating your very own sound unique to you.
Keith

So why not, if it fullfills the job? Esp. for dealers it's worthy to do so
It's not religion.

 

[Ron Texas]

Oxymoron?

 

[fpitas]

So why not, if it fullfills the job? Esp. for dealers it's worthy to do so
It's not religion.

It's not hi-fi anymore, either. But knock yourself silly if you like how it sounds.

 

[Salt]

Die Schönheit liegt im Auge des Betrachters.

refer to any translater you prefer

"But knock yourself silly if you like how it sounds"

Tsts, neglect of individual preferences ....

 

[ta240]

So why not, if it fullfills the job? Esp. for dealers it's worthy to do so
It's not religion.

Many seem insulted like it is though.
As Nelson Pass says "It's not dialysis"

and I'm probably still going to call it hi-fi just to annoy people