Is it possible to make a solid-state amp sound like a tube amp? PC>DAC>Speakers setup

[mhardy6647]

The OP can (could), if they wish...

1) whip up one of these (I don't think the kits are still available, although eBAY might turn up a used one).

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Electronics/90s/1994/EN-1994-06.pdf

2) spring for one of these. They're cheap!

What do you guys think of the newly released Nobsound E6?

Its a super small directly heated 2J27S tube preamp. It uses a 5v dc plug but according to nobsound the anode voltage is stepped up to 105V. If its true then this thing could be an actual tube pre.

www.audiosciencereview.com

Nobsound E6 Preamp Uses Directly Heated Tubes

I recently noticed this new preamp that uses directly heated tubes. Many people prefer the sound of directly heated triode tubes, though they are typically used as output tubes in SE (single ended) amplifiers. The most commonly used DHT output tubes are the 2A3 and the 300B, both of which...

audiokarma.org

(one of the weirdest cheap add-on tube distortion boxes I've seen to date -- and such boxes are Legion -- so that's saying something! )

 

[steve59]

Bob Carver did it, He took one of his amps and voiced to sound identical to either the CJ or VTL amps on stereophile many moons ago.

 

[blueone]

Bob Carver did it, He took one of his amps and voiced to sound identical to either the CJ or VTL amps on stereophile many moons ago.

You just beat me to posting this:

The Carver Challenge

Is it possible to make a $700 "mainstream-audio" power amplifier sound exactly like a high-priced perfectionist amplifier? Bob Carver, of Carver Corporation, seemed to think he could, so we challenged him to prove it.

www.stereophile.com

 

[mhardy6647]

That's going right at the head of my ghetto blaster list.

JVC was, at the least, the McIntosh, or Luxman*, of connoisseur boom boxes. I am not being (entirely) facetious, either.

Random internet image -- the current prices for things like this are astounding.

It all started (IMO, of course) with this epochal early 1970s model -- featuring a "cellular horn tweeter" (JVC's words, not mine).
Not exactly a 511B, but they get points for trying!

source: https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/Lafayette-Catalogs/Lafayette-1975-750.pdf (page 58)

____________________
* Maybe even the D'agostino!

 

[w00b3r]

Came across this earlier this week. The freqtube tube box.

A tube box that lets you route audio thru it, and back into your DAW if you choose.

Freqport

Product

www.freqport.com

 

[Blumlein 88]

Came across this earlier this week. The freqtube tube box.

A tube box that lets you route audio thru it, and back into your DAW if you choose.

Freqport

Product

www.freqport.com

It is not clear if this has any tubes in it or just emulations? The emulations might be good, but clearly what look like tubes inside are lit by some other light source than the tubes themselves. I notice in the spec they don't say what tubes are used making me think the answer is none.

 

[w00b3r]

It is not clear if this has any tubes in it or just emulations? The emulations might be good, but clearly what look like tubes inside are lit by some other light source than the tubes themselves. I notice in the spec they don't say what tubes are used making me think the answer is none.

you're right, but i see multiple references to "2 tube types"E83CC and 12AT7. I think it really may have 2 of each of those in them. Hopefully you aren't paying $800 for an emulation box. wouldn't make a lot of sense IMO when they can just do that via plugin anyways.

 

[w00b3r]

It is not clear if this has any tubes in it or just emulations? The emulations might be good, but clearly what look like tubes inside are lit by some other light source than the tubes themselves. I notice in the spec they don't say what tubes are used making me think the answer is none.

They have videos showcasing the product on their official youtube. It apparently does have 4 real tubes, 2 different tube types.

 

[JayGilb]

Behringer T1950 was a 8 channel balanced i/o tube interface. It used a starved plate design and 12ax7 tubes to add a "tube sparkle" sound.
They can still be found for sale as used.

 

[mhardy6647]

starved plate 12AX7s won't exactly sparkle.