If tubes were hidden within an enclosure, would people still desire them as much?

[OldHvyMec]

Why would you use tubes for that? I can see for critical listening, but for background you just want something dependable and reliable since you aren't zeroed in on sound quality

The last time one of my valve power, phono, or preamps took a shit was over 10 years ago, and I lost a NEW GL 12AX7 in a C2500 on the right channel. I was up and running in less than 45 minutes. I put in a set/pair of Amprex. That C2500 unit has 6000+ hours on it. The wife's system. Every day, 2-6 hours.

I have an MC225 with the original valves (1965 or so), and that amp was played every day for 25 years after work. If I remember correctly, it lost a Telefunken 12AX7, which was replaced in kind. It took all of 10 minutes to fix. It has an easy 7-8000 hours on the valves.

Other than contouring the sound with minor changes inside on Carys that I use or changing the valves from one type to another, they just don't break. All of my older valve units are 20-60 years old. Cary and Macs.

I have a Herron V2 that I took the top off to clean a couple of times, completely bulletproof.

Of the 40-45 pieces of valve gear here, they are just as reliable as the 40 or so pieces of solid-state gear. I know I can fix a valve-based piece easier and faster than any of the SS gear I have.

Dependable, reliable? Very much so. At least they (the tube gear) has been for the last 51 years. A tube fire here and there just keeps you on your toes. LOL

Regards

 

[Philbo King]

There was a Behringer product that had a nonfunctional tube lit from below by an LED. I imagine it drove sales among those who had to have a tube for its 'magic' sound...

 

[egellings]

There was a Behringer product that had a nonfunctional tube lit from below by an LED. I imagine it drove sales among those who had to have a tube for its 'magic' sound...

Did the product still work when the tube was yanked, or did doing that break a continuity established by the heater connections, disabling product, reassuring the owner that the tube was doing something needed for the product's operation?

 

[Westsounds]

Absolutely! Great post and I love the sense this site brings. Or I think it's sense anyway

Tubes give a visual as well as an element of seriousness even though technically inferior.

Same for over engineered shiny turntables. An archaic method which is not better than digital yet gives off an element of betterness.

Same for blooming great big horns. An absolute statement of being the ultimate audiophile when it's just another flawed transducer in many ways, as all speakers are to some extent.

On saying all that, I still love all of the above and would be gutted if they disappeared Had some great experiences listening to all. Even if it doesn't make sense.

And if that lottery win ever did happen, and that's extremely unlikely as I hardly every do it. There'd be a massive set of horns in one of my sea view apartments, with a big chrome TT and some big bottle tubes warming the room Because that's who I am.

 

[Mort]

Would we drink wine if it didn't get us drunk?

Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[Westsounds]

I understand leaving tubes and vinyl behind but not CD's since they havent really improved on CD sound quality.

No but the digital format has changed, why bother with the dumb plastic discs and mechanical players anymore.

 

[pinger]

No but the digital format has changed, why bother with the dumb plastic discs and mechanical players anymore.

I like physical CD's. Its like having a library . No internet or computers needed. I'm on the Computer now LOL. When i listen to music its off and in another room

 

[egellings]

I like physical CD's. Its like having a library . No internet or computers needed. I'm on the Computer now LOL. When i listen to music its off and in another room

That, and what happens when a song you really like is no longer available on the 'net. With physical media, you always have a copy that you can play whenever you like.

 

[Mnyb]

I find it soothing and relaxing to play physical media , I,ve not had a cd player or LP player for years ( decades ) only playing streamed content from my music servers . The majority is downloaded or ripped from my own media so it won’t go away and some Spotify and Tidal on top off that . .

But I can somehow focus more if I sit down and put on a disc , especially an LP you’re committed to listening to it not even a remote no flicking trough menus on an app to select the next thing , no distractions just a cup of tea.

 

[SHB]

If ALL tubes were hidden inside an enclosure and no longer on display for the eyes to see, would tube amps for headphones be as popular and desired without the erect devices sticking out?

No, because it’s not about high fidelity.

I made a satirical post about how power meters made amplifiers sound better. Just like that being fictitious, the same is true for tubes.

While the practical reason of having the tubes exposed to free air for better heat dissipation, showing them off for the visual cool factor can’t be dismissed.

Tubes are really terrible for any use but guitar amps and effects.

 

[Westsounds]

That, and what happens when a song you really like is no longer available on the 'net. With physical media, you always have a copy that you can play whenever you like.

I like physical CD's. Its like having a library . No internet or computers needed. I'm on the Computer now LOL. When i listen to music its off and in another room

I find it soothing and relaxing to play physical media , I,ve not had a cd player or LP player for years ( decades ) only playing streamed content from my music servers . The majority is downloaded or ripped from my own media so it won’t go away and some Spotify and Tidal on top off that . .

But I can somehow focus more if I sit down and put on a disc , especially an LP you’re committed to listening to it not even a remote no flicking trough menus on an app to select the next thing , no distractions just a cup of tea.

It's just mindless hording. No need of it these days. Don't even need a computer as such or a Iinternet connection, digital information is just that, doesn't need to be on anything particular, those plastic discs were a snapshot from a different era

I loved them once too I've still box loads in the attic. But unfortunately they'll never be collectibles, they're just so easily replicable, but it's the digital information on them is all were really interested in anyway, and now there's just so many other and better ways to handle it.

And if it's been digitised, it'll always be out there somewhere! A scary fact, the media it was on is just a transition.

And you can still listen to full albums it's called discipline. Restraint is a great skill to master in these abundant times

 

[Mnyb]

And if it's been digitised, it'll always be out there somewhere! A scary fact, the media it was on is just a transition.

I would not be so sure about that . Labels routinely replacing their version of an album with a horrible remaster etc . And artist removes content all the time .
And censoring is a thing . And streaming service comes and goes and shuffling thier content all the time .
Spotify for example i had thousands of offline tracks , periodically they just flush that for you also my saved albums and playlists ? Suddenly tracks are gone and whole albums are missing, its more like a sand castle than a collection, cant be relied on .

I definitely have CD's that's never made it on any streaming service or pirate site for that matter ( somehow pirate sites or more reliable on keeping content always viable ,but even that route fails eventually ) .

There are loads of "dead media" that never transitioned to digital . Some archives on public service radio stations does valiant effort in digitizing everything and also some institutions .

So i keep a good backup discipline for my servers I have 3 copies of everything i ever ripped or bought as files ( or downloaded ).

My CD collection is growing slowly , i buy a lot of files from for example Bandcamp etc .
My LP collection is small ( i sold all my LP once ) it's more like museum for my own enjoyment i buy used and get certain albums for the fun of it.

A fact . when i sold my LP collection i was always thinking i could replace everything i cared for with CD's eventually and later with downloads . That has not happened .

 

[Robin L]

And you can still listen to full albums it's called discipline. Restraint is a great skill to master in these abundant times

That's one of the things about "Classical" music ("Classical" really only applies to a very limited historical period but the term applies to a broader historical range in general use). The nature of many of the works requires sustained listening. People tend to think that streaming leads to folks hopping around, track to track. But I say it's the nature of the music itself that leads to skipping tracks. Focusing on the music always requires focusing on the music—tubes or not, turntables or no, it's the music itself that will drive one's focus on the music.