Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Tubes?

BTW, one 6spd



second 6 spd

...but it's so hard to shift while talking on a cell phone!

FYI, I drive a stick and hate using a cell while driving.

In reply to:

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how can you compare a tube amp to driving a vintage car when, although you have driven vintage cars, you've never listened to a tube amp?

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I admit I haven't listened to a tube amp...I'd like to but I don't have one handy. I only said that the analogy seems apt based on what I know. My mother-in-law's husband used to have a pair of Dynaco(?) monoblocks, but they burned up, almost causing a fire. Sigh.

Anybody within a few hours of Louisville have one I can listen to?

Mark

As much as I respect all opinions, as the owner of a vintage auto (1955 Studebaker Champion), and previous owner of tube amps (Rogue Audio 90's, early models), I must agree that the appreciation is different. I am passionate about both, but it is much easier to find a (insert modern technology here) than find a vintage automobile. OT - I was once offered a new Mustang GT even up trade for my Stude, to which I responded " I can easily find and buy the 'Stang, but replacing my '55 would take a lot of work" - and was greated with a blank look!!

The analogy presumes that the tube amps are outdated....not engineered with the quality that todays technology can deliver. Are they based on older technology (tubes), sure, but how much has the basics of an internal combustion engine (and its inherent inefficient nature) changed over the course of time? Both have been improved by enhancing the support systems around the center piece technology.

My view is, and was, the amps sound fine. Are they better than SS? Maybe, maybe not, depending on the engineering quality of the comparison other. Did I enjoy them? Yes, and I also enjoy SS amps.

I think it is important to keep an open mind, and try to experience all that this hobby has to offer - expensive systems and components, different technologies designed into these components. I would recommend that people should experience a quality turntable, tube amps, electrostatic speakers, and in general make your own mind up on what you hear.

Well, Mhorgel, you cigar smoking afficianado of vintage cars and good tunes, all I can say is, if you find yourself in Southern California, COME ON BY, and I'll audition some tubes for ya!

I have the ASL which knocks my socks off, and my dad is shipping out an old top-of-the-line Harman Kardon tube amp which'll get the overhaul treatment of new and modern capacitors, etc., and then get added to my collection of musical foot warmers. Hopefully it'll be up and running pretty soon.

Mhorgel, what you say is reasonable but not based on personal experience. If I told you that I thought the Marantz amp you have recommended is OK but not as good as an ATI, and if I told you that I never heard a Marantz amp, what would you say?

If someone says they listened to Tube Amp X and liked it or didn't like it, what can you say? Their opinion is based on experience, it has prima facie value. If someone says I never heard a tube amp but I think they're great or I think they're crap, what can you say of such an opinion? Only that it is based on something other than personal experience - it may be based on a report from someone else with personal experience or based on theory (all tube amps are crap, thanks Alan) or all tube amps are great. Neither is of value.

That's why I say, trust your ears and I'll throw a steak on the BBQ for ya if you want to listen to my tube amp.

I would love to take you up on your offer. I have family in the LA area and will probably visit them before the end of the year.

I think you took me too literaly...I wasn't passing judgemnent on tube amps, you are correct that I cannot do so because I have no experience with them. I think that all I said was that the vintage car analogy proposed by another poster seemed apt in that ones experience with an older technology can be as good or better than that with a newer technology.

I am looking forward to hearing a tube amp at some time in the future...until then, I am keeping an open mind.

Mark

Yes, Mhorgel, I understand, no experience, you've never been moved by tube music, but as Yoda said, "you will be, you will be!"

Let me know when you'll be in town and we'll have a good time!!

Ah, but the question isn't whether or not you will be moved. Solid state receivers regularly move me with the music they reproduce.

The big question is which type of pre-amp/amp moves to a greater degree.

I have plenty of excellent sand box amps and fancy front ends to compare to the tubie.