Michaels HiFi
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Tube Testing Lesson: Why I Was Reminded to Trust My Ears (Not My Assumptions)
I spent part of New Year’s Day doing routine tube inventory and testing. While going through my stash, I realized I had four additional matched mint pairs of Type 45 tubes that I’ll likely list for sale, as I have multiple duplicates of several types.
Before listing anything, I did what I always do:
That assumption turned out to be wrong.
The first pair I installed (leaving out brand names to focus on the sound and not the brands) was one I had previously considered “good but not exceptional.” From a technical and analytical standpoint, it did not deliver the strongest bass, the widest soundstage, or the most immediately impressive dynamics compared to the others.
However, during extended listening, it became clear that this pair had a quality that wasn’t captured by those metrics alone. There was a sense of coherence, flow, and naturalness to the presentation that made the music easier to engage with over time that other 45's were missing out on.
Using familiar reference tracks, I noticed:
For one example Joe Williams’ “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” came on, and the piano didn’t just play — it was fluid and musical. Notes had decay. His voice wasn’t just clear; it was intimate Every inflection, every breath, felt human even if not the most crystal clear I've ever heard it with other tubes.
Next came “In Color” by Jamie Johnson. A background guitar line I’d never truly noticed before suddenly shimmered into focus — it was delicate and playful. I found myself nodding along enjoying parts of the song that had been too far in the back ground the dozens of previous times.
Other pairs offered larger, more forceful presentations and measured better by the criteria I normally prioritize. But they did not maintain the same level of musical engagement of the analytically "better" tubes.
The key takeaway for me was this: the traits I usually rank highest — bass weight, scale, extension — did not determine which tube I ultimately preferred in actual listening.
I’m not suggesting one set of priorities is universally correct. Rather, this experience reinforced the importance of regularly re-evaluating assumptions and letting direct listening guide decisions, even when the results contradict prior conclusions.
Curious if others here have had similar experiences — where a component that didn’t win on paper ended up being the one you preferred over time.
I spent part of New Year’s Day doing routine tube inventory and testing. While going through my stash, I realized I had four additional matched mint pairs of Type 45 tubes that I’ll likely list for sale, as I have multiple duplicates of several types.
Before listing anything, I did what I always do:
- Tested each pair on the tube tester to confirm strength and matching
- Installed each pair in my amps to verify real-world sonic performance
That assumption turned out to be wrong.
The first pair I installed (leaving out brand names to focus on the sound and not the brands) was one I had previously considered “good but not exceptional.” From a technical and analytical standpoint, it did not deliver the strongest bass, the widest soundstage, or the most immediately impressive dynamics compared to the others.
However, during extended listening, it became clear that this pair had a quality that wasn’t captured by those metrics alone. There was a sense of coherence, flow, and naturalness to the presentation that made the music easier to engage with over time that other 45's were missing out on.
Using familiar reference tracks, I noticed:
- Greater vocal nuance and inflection
- More natural piano decay and phrasing
- Subtle background elements that were easier to follow without drawing attention to themselves
For one example Joe Williams’ “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” came on, and the piano didn’t just play — it was fluid and musical. Notes had decay. His voice wasn’t just clear; it was intimate Every inflection, every breath, felt human even if not the most crystal clear I've ever heard it with other tubes.
Next came “In Color” by Jamie Johnson. A background guitar line I’d never truly noticed before suddenly shimmered into focus — it was delicate and playful. I found myself nodding along enjoying parts of the song that had been too far in the back ground the dozens of previous times.
Other pairs offered larger, more forceful presentations and measured better by the criteria I normally prioritize. But they did not maintain the same level of musical engagement of the analytically "better" tubes.
The key takeaway for me was this: the traits I usually rank highest — bass weight, scale, extension — did not determine which tube I ultimately preferred in actual listening.
I’m not suggesting one set of priorities is universally correct. Rather, this experience reinforced the importance of regularly re-evaluating assumptions and letting direct listening guide decisions, even when the results contradict prior conclusions.
Curious if others here have had similar experiences — where a component that didn’t win on paper ended up being the one you preferred over time.
