Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #1
Yup, I really do.
I compare tubes & records to Ghostbusters
- Thread starter Michaels HiFi
- Start date
atmasphere
Active member
Because you've not heard a solid state amp which can convey the human quality of music doesn't mean they aren't out there. In the end (tube or whatever) it should be about the sound and engagement rather than the measurements. That is how brick and mortar audio stores survive FWIW and that is what keeps us listening.
The measurements only crowd is a minority in high end audio. Its not worth arguing which is better.
I get the 'glow of tubes thing'.
FWIW you're not hearing what an 807 really does when the amp in which its being played is designed to handle a variety of tubes. The plate to plate impedance load the transformer expresses is a big deal WRT to how the tubes and transformer sound together. 807s are pretty cool tubes- if you want to hear what they are about I'd have someone make an output transformer for you so that can be sorted out, once you figure out what it is that you want the tube to do. They can handle quite a lot more plate Voltage than a 6L6 (which is supposed to be the same tube without the plate cap) and so can make more power. To get the increased power the output transformer typically has a higher plate load impedance along with higher B+ Voltages- which can be over 600Volts!
I think there's an amp you need to hear- the Dynaco ST35. Make sure its properly serviced out (and built correctly in the case of it being a kit). It will work great on your higher efficiency speakers and you may be surprised at how well it does against the type 45 or 2A3 based amps. The ST35 is generally recognized as the best sounding amp Dynaco made. I've seen them take on SETs in every way that SET lovers find valuable. I'm very familiar with the '45 sound' in case there's any question; I've had a set of 45 monoblocks for 20 years. The ST35 can be a real eye opener; its this quality about them that causes people to upgrade them- to the point there are even more spacious aftermarket chassis made for them.
The measurements only crowd is a minority in high end audio. Its not worth arguing which is better.
I get the 'glow of tubes thing'.
FWIW you're not hearing what an 807 really does when the amp in which its being played is designed to handle a variety of tubes. The plate to plate impedance load the transformer expresses is a big deal WRT to how the tubes and transformer sound together. 807s are pretty cool tubes- if you want to hear what they are about I'd have someone make an output transformer for you so that can be sorted out, once you figure out what it is that you want the tube to do. They can handle quite a lot more plate Voltage than a 6L6 (which is supposed to be the same tube without the plate cap) and so can make more power. To get the increased power the output transformer typically has a higher plate load impedance along with higher B+ Voltages- which can be over 600Volts!
I think there's an amp you need to hear- the Dynaco ST35. Make sure its properly serviced out (and built correctly in the case of it being a kit). It will work great on your higher efficiency speakers and you may be surprised at how well it does against the type 45 or 2A3 based amps. The ST35 is generally recognized as the best sounding amp Dynaco made. I've seen them take on SETs in every way that SET lovers find valuable. I'm very familiar with the '45 sound' in case there's any question; I've had a set of 45 monoblocks for 20 years. The ST35 can be a real eye opener; its this quality about them that causes people to upgrade them- to the point there are even more spacious aftermarket chassis made for them.