[Czilla9000]

Hi....I am VERY new to the tube amp thing. All of my amps have so far been solid state.


In your mind, are tubes amps bettter than solid state?

 

[Dan H]

Better is not the word I would use.
Mostly tubes have there own flavor, adding color to the sound. For myself, tubes do it, make the music come alive, become real.
You've got to get out and listen to some tube stuff see what you think.



Today;
Tom Waits...............Mule Variations
Porrcupine Tree.......in absentia
The Band.................Jerico

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I agree with Dan's statement. To each his own!! Some people swear by their equipment, be it SS or tube, and that's great. No one can unanimously say that tubes or SS is better. It all hinges upon your ears, musical tastes, and preferences in sonics. You should audition a tube amp or two at someone's house so you can take the time to listen to some familiar music and get to know the sounds it produces. After that try some good SS amps and see what you like about those. You'll find out that each has certain things it does well, and others it doesn't.

So as not to taint your listening experience, go and listen to them and see what you prefer. Then make sure to come back and let us know what you decided and why!!

 

[N@Z]

Don't be surprised if you like both too.

 

[mkmelt]

The better examples of each type sound more alike than they do different. Tube amplification is addictive and can be expensive, but it is also alot of fun.

If you want to come home, flip on the stereo, and kick back right away, tubes may not be your best choice as these need time to warm up (30 seconds to 1 minute) and then time to really staibilize and sound their best. This can take 20 minutes or several hours, depending on the amplifier and the tubes in use.

Actually, headphone listening is an ideal way to get into tube audio, because the low power demands of most headphones minimize many of the less desireable tube amplifier shortcomings including: size, weight, cost, heat output, audio power limitations of many tube amplifier designs.

There is a great deal of information and listener opinions here in the forum on different types of tube and solid state amplifiers to consider. Ultimately, you may decide to own one or several examples of each type, as some headphones work especially well with a given amp, but not others.