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First of all, I am pretty much completely new to the whole amplifier sector of high-fidelity audio.
I've seen and heard tube amps at a local meet before, but I am confused as to how they differ from the more widely-used (from a consumer's point-of-view) solid-state amplifiers.
Q: Why is a solid-state amp called a 'solid-state' amp?
A: ?
Q: How do they sound different? (ie. what is the 'tube sound' that people speak of?)
A: Quote:
How does one know if a tube amp is needed one or not?
A: Quote:
Q:I've read that tube amps have more distortion than a solid state amp, is that true?
A: Yes
Q: Some vacuum tubes feature a really cool-looking blue color. Why does it produce the blue color?
A: Quote:
Q: Is a "Magic Eye tube" an amplifier as well? I've seen videos of these on YouTube and they look fascinating.
A: ?
Q: What are the differences between a WOT and OTL amp?
A: Quote:
I had the opportunity to try my SRH940's with a Bottlehead Crack OTL amp at the last meet. When I asked Doc B of the Bottlehead Corp. if I could try the SRH940's with the Crack amp, he said sure, but the Crack wasn't really intended for a 32 ohm headphone. Despite this, the SRH940's actually sounded quite nice with the Crack.
Q: Again, I'm new to amps, but what does a headphone's impedance rating mean?
A: ?
Q: What does an amp's output impedance mean?
A: ?
Q: What does the sensitivity of a headphone mean?
A: ?
Q: How do these numbers affect one's decision to purchase an amp?
A: Quote:
Q: The Bottlehead Smack WOT amp offers switchable output impedances, what is the advantage of this?
A: See answer from previous question. Having more output impedance options probably reduces the risk of damaging headphones if you own multiple pairs with different impedances.
Q: If I own a 32 ohm impedance headphone, would it be a better option to purchase a solid state amp, or a tube amp? I really like the appearance of tube amps because they look like vintage devices, but I don't know if I really need one or not.
A: Quote:
Sorry for all of the questions, but hopefully this thread can help others in the future since they are questions a newcomer might ask.
Thanks for any help or insight you can provide!
I've seen and heard tube amps at a local meet before, but I am confused as to how they differ from the more widely-used (from a consumer's point-of-view) solid-state amplifiers.
Q: Why is a solid-state amp called a 'solid-state' amp?
A: ?
Q: How do they sound different? (ie. what is the 'tube sound' that people speak of?)
A: Quote:
Originally Posted by firev1
Tube sound can be described as warm, smooth, musical and other esoteric terms. Their soundstage are also typically wider
...
SS amps when done right, are said to be totally revealing, transparent, resolving and sometimes, a black background(low noise)
How does one know if a tube amp is needed one or not?
A: Quote:
Originally Posted by Citan
There really is no reason to go with a tube amp if you are looking for the highest possible fidelity
Originally Posted by firev1
[tube amps] have musicality which may compensate one way or the other for recording losses
...
Generally I would consider Tube amps if I at least own a 600 ohm DT880 ,HD650, AKG Q/K70X
Q:I've read that tube amps have more distortion than a solid state amp, is that true?
A: Yes
Originally Posted by Citan
Tube amps will almost always add more distortion than a decent solid state amp
Originally Posted by firev1
due to the supposed combination of bad phase response(on scopes) and Total Harmonic Distortion. THD wise, they have significant levers of 2nd and 3rd harmonics concerting with 4th and 5th harmonic distortion
Q: Some vacuum tubes feature a really cool-looking blue color. Why does it produce the blue color?
A: Quote:
Originally Posted by firev1
As for the light, its caused by electron flow if I'm not wrong but some DIYers also add LEDs in the tubes
Q: Is a "Magic Eye tube" an amplifier as well? I've seen videos of these on YouTube and they look fascinating.
A: ?
Q: What are the differences between a WOT and OTL amp?
A: Quote:
Originally Posted by firev1
OTL means output transformerless which summarizes everything. WOT probably means the reverse.
I had the opportunity to try my SRH940's with a Bottlehead Crack OTL amp at the last meet. When I asked Doc B of the Bottlehead Corp. if I could try the SRH940's with the Crack amp, he said sure, but the Crack wasn't really intended for a 32 ohm headphone. Despite this, the SRH940's actually sounded quite nice with the Crack.
Q: Again, I'm new to amps, but what does a headphone's impedance rating mean?
A: ?
Q: What does an amp's output impedance mean?
A: ?
Q: What does the sensitivity of a headphone mean?
A: ?
Q: How do these numbers affect one's decision to purchase an amp?
A: Quote:
Originally Posted by firev1
impedance matching is VERY important with tubes
...
You run the risk of damaging either the amp or headphones when using it outside it's design conditions. That being said a good low output impedance SS amp would Shurely pair well with your Shures [which are 32 ohms]
Q: The Bottlehead Smack WOT amp offers switchable output impedances, what is the advantage of this?
A: See answer from previous question. Having more output impedance options probably reduces the risk of damaging headphones if you own multiple pairs with different impedances.
Q: If I own a 32 ohm impedance headphone, would it be a better option to purchase a solid state amp, or a tube amp? I really like the appearance of tube amps because they look like vintage devices, but I don't know if I really need one or not.
A: Quote:
Originally Posted by firev1
I suggest SS for 32 ohms
...
That being said a good low output impedance SS amp would Shurely pair well with your Shures
Sorry for all of the questions, but hopefully this thread can help others in the future since they are questions a newcomer might ask.
Thanks for any help or insight you can provide!