DVDdoug
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I'm pretty sure McIntosh tube amps don't have audible distortion (unless overdriven) and has no sound of it's own just like any good amplifier.
The famous-old Aphex Aural Exciter adds high frequency harmonics (harmonic distortion) but it's a production tool, not a reproduction tool.
I like try avoid terminology like "detail" or "musical" or even "warm" (which has more than one meaning) or any of that "audiophile" terminology. I try to stick to real characteristics... noise, distortion, and frequency response.
With modern solid state electronics, distortion is pretty-much a solved problem. Flat frequency response is easy too. Usually if there are any audible issues/defects (with electronics) it's noise.
I always assume "detail" means boosted highs. But Dan Clark (headphone manufacturer) has mentioned that headphones with more distortion are often described has having more detail.with greater actual detail rather than brightness masquerading as detail.
But tubes have measurably greater distortion- so how is this possible?
The famous-old Aphex Aural Exciter adds high frequency harmonics (harmonic distortion) but it's a production tool, not a reproduction tool.
I like try avoid terminology like "detail" or "musical" or even "warm" (which has more than one meaning) or any of that "audiophile" terminology. I try to stick to real characteristics... noise, distortion, and frequency response.
With modern solid state electronics, distortion is pretty-much a solved problem. Flat frequency response is easy too. Usually if there are any audible issues/defects (with electronics) it's noise.