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Why people still use tube amps when there are plenty of tubes already used in the making of music

And who says that everybody actually likes linearity? All recorded music and its playback is false, you choose which false you like. No equipment in your lounge is remotely like a live recording or even the music in the studio, which is recorded expressly for reproduction. You are rationalising an illusion with measurement. There are two sorts of audiophiles, those that listen to the equipment and those that listen to the music.
 
And who says that everybody actually likes linearity? All recorded music and its playback is false, you choose which false you like. No equipment in your lounge is remotely like a live recording or even the music in the studio, which is recorded expressly for reproduction. You are rationalising an illusion with measurement. There are two sorts of audiophiles, those that listen to the equipment and those that listen to the music.
We where discussing a analogy that you whipped up in your kitchen. Otherwise if you like distortion added to the source fly at it but you are adding and taking away from the original.
 
So, you mentioned distortion and linearity, I'm replying.
OK. No problemo. I had a similar chat the other day with a long term member of ASR and we agreed that if somebody likes extra shimmer on the cymbals induced by a tube amp distortion then that is what the heart wants.
 
And who says that everybody actually likes linearity? All recorded music and its playback is false, you choose which false you like. No equipment in your lounge is remotely like a live recording or even the music in the studio, which is recorded expressly for reproduction. You are rationalising an illusion with measurement. There are two sorts of audiophiles, those that listen to the equipment and those that listen to the music.
Yes, sure, preference rules. But measurements are good for finding out which equipment distorts less - or more - or how it distorts.

And it also turns out that when you do experiments, people consistently find certain types of distortion worse than others.

You can get pretty close to what is heard in the studio if you work at it. If you prefer to work at something else, that is fine. Measurements will still help you work toward your goal instead of doing things at random.

The big problem with "audiophiles" is not that they like the wrong things*, but many assume the things they like cannot be quantified. But this is audio, not communication from the spirit realm - it can all be quantified.

The measurements exist to help you find gear you like better, or to understand what you like. Reviewers like Amir have their opinions, but numbers are just numbers, not an attack on things you like, even if they are "bad".


*de gustibus non ad disputandum est
 
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Yes, sure, preference rules. But measurements are good for finding out which equipment distorts less.

And it also turns out that when you do experiments, people consistently find certain types of distortion worse than others.

You can get pretty close to what is heard in the studio if you work at it.
Yes, and using an amp or other component for tone control is a very ineffective/inefficient way to go about making a audio system. Better to use the parametric equalizer for spice and keep the components neutral sounding and without adding or taking something away.
 
OK. No problemo. I had a similar chat the other day with a long term member of ASR and we agreed that if somebody likes extra shimmer on the cymbals induced by a tube amp distortion then that is what the heart wants.
But when I go to a concert it's almost certain the guitars will be using valve amplification, so which is nearer to live in my lounge, SS or Tubes?
 
But when I go to a concert it's almost certain the guitars will be using valve amplification, so which is nearer to live in my lounge, SS or Tubes?
It depends on the amp. Tube amps can be linear from input to output just like transistorized amps can be. Then there are tube amps with output impedance issues that color the sound and remove and add stuff. So even tube amps can be as clean as a transistorized amp.
 
Certainly hope not. The clue is in the name, no? "Audio SCIENCE"

And it is filled with audiophiles.

I mean, of course you can call yourself or not call yourself whatever you want.

But if you hang out in a forum like this devoted to audio gear, that’s a sign that you are an audiophile in the

USUAL

SENSE

OF THE WORD

:)
 
And it is filled with audiophiles.

I mean, of course you can call yourself or not call yourself whatever you want.

But if you hang out in a forum like this devoted to audio gear, that’s a sign that you are an audiophile in the

USUAL

SENSE

OF THE WORD

:)
LMAO... Changing ASR one member at a time. gg* :D
 
And who says that everybody actually likes linearity? All recorded music and its playback is false, you choose which false you like. No equipment in your lounge is remotely like a live recording or even the music in the studio, which is recorded expressly for reproduction. You are rationalising an illusion with measurement. There are two sorts of audiophiles, those that listen to the equipment and those that listen to the music.

Uh huh. I think you should read scientific literature about linearity, distortion and high-fidelity reproduction in general before writing a lot of nonsense about "recorded music and its playback is false" :facepalm:
 
But when I go to a concert it's almost certain the guitars will be using valve amplification, so which is nearer to live in my lounge, SS or Tubes?
This is a bit like asking whether salt or pepper makes lettuce taste more like steak. Live sound is typically nothing like the mix on a record, and even if the record is mixed to sound live (some are, most aren't), your vastly bigger concern is what type of speaker to use, not what type of amp.

But to answer the question directly, if the artists recorded using the same gear they would use on stage, typically SS will give you a sound that is very marginally closer to live in that you'd typically expect it to distort the recording less.
 
Amplifiers can be metered down to parts per million and a bunch of other factors that indicate the integrity of the linearity of the input to the output. I don't see food tested scientifically to any degree like that. You are using a very simplistic analogy that does not fit in any way shape or form objectively.
Actually, that is exactly what’s done in the food business. No product is released without extensive and rigorous sensory testing.
 
Guys, why are you engaging a rather stupid and unimaginative troll? Don’t feed, the supply of banality just multiplies.
 
Guys, why are you engaging a rather stupid and unimaginative troll? Don’t feed, the supply of banality just multiplies.
Good point - troll food deleted.
 
I have SS, Tube and Hybrid amplifiers. No question which one everybody who listens prefers.
True or not, properly controlled or not, it is still just distortion.

As always... not magic.
 
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