What tube gear does so well

SteveFord · « **on:** 11 Nov 2012, 02:11 pm »

I've been monkeying around with SS gear recently and here's the difference:
if you wander away from the music to go do something else you've got solid state amps going.
If you're rooted to the spot you've got tube amps going.

Solid state gear can be really good but it's missing that certain ineffable quality. How do you define the tangerine? Or is that intangible...

You don't wander away from a live performance so if you're doing that at home, you might want to give tube amps a go.

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 02:33 pm »

Well said, Steve. It's all about that effin' ineffable quality.

SteveFord · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 03:46 pm »

The ineffenable is the crux of the apostrophe.

rollo · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 04:46 pm »

Steve I have felt that way for some 30 years now. However after experiencing Class "D" hybrid it changed my game. For years we had an Audio Research DR 250 servo mk2 Amp with 36 tubaroonies and 240W/ch driving Maggie 3As. Glorious is the first thing that comes to mind.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that a class "D" amp would outperform the AR with the Maggies. Especially after hearing class "D" before. Now using them with our Pipedream 924 speakers. The AR believe it or not was colored in direct comparison. Nice color but not real to our ears. Go figure.
We are dealers for Arion hybrid class "D" amps. There are several Class "D" amps out there to try it does not have to be Arions.

charles

SteveFord · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 05:21 pm »

The ClassD that I've heard didn't float my boat but I'll have to give the new generation a listen.
I'm pretty biased, though (little tube humor, harf).
The ARC amps I've heard are always too polite (or refined, perhaps) for my tastes.

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 05:39 pm »

Quote from: SteveFord on 11 Nov 2012, 02:11 pm

You don't wander away from a live performance ...

You obviously never went to see Bob Dylan on his current tour, Steve...Hoo boy !

D.D.

SteveFord · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 05:43 pm »

Thanks for the tip!
I forgot all about Black Oak Arkansas when I was a kid.
Go, Jim Dandy, Go!
He sounded like somebody stepping on a bullfrog, boy that was bad.

Scottdazzle · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 05:45 pm »

The only Class D amp I've heard that sounded wonderful to me is the Veloce at RMAF. But this amp has a tube input stage, so I guess it's categorized a hybrid. You Hypex N-Core guys don't need to flame me. We just don't hear it the same way.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 05:51 pm »

Quote from: SteveFord on 11 Nov 2012, 05:43 pm

Thanks for the tip!
I forgot all about Black Oak Arkansas when I was a kid.
Go, Jim Dandy, Go!
He sounded like somebody stepping on a bullfrog, boy that was bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGAPhLK8qdk

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 06:13 pm »

Jim Dandy Mangrum was kinda like Beef From Phantom Of The Paradise but with a really bad cold...and with extra swish. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

D.D.

medium jim · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 06:19 pm »

I remember a concert back in the late 70's at CSUN (Cal State Northridge), the main acts were Jimmy Carl Black, Black Oak Arkansas and a young Eddie Van Halen. What a show!

To me the big difference between SS & Tubes is the weight of the music that tubes generate over SS. It's not louder just denser, deeper, and more holographic.

There are some really expensive SS amps that can do the same ad tubes, but the cost is more, so why not just get tubes to begin with. Tubes are more natural and organic and nothing is better that the glow of tubes!

Jim

SteveFord · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 09:34 pm »

Thanks(?) for sharing that youtube clip, I think!
They sure don't write 'em like that any more.

mjosef · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Nov 2012, 10:44 pm »

I liken it to the "cream" in regular milk...just not the same with 1% or 2% low fat milk.
That ole tube magic.

ken · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Nov 2012, 06:53 pm »

To me the big difference between SS & Tubes is the weight of the music that tubes generate over SS. It's not louder just denser, deeper, and more holographic.

That pretty much sums it up for me as well. Just can't seem to get that sense of depth with SS that you get with a good tube amp

WireNut · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Nov 2012, 05:47 am »

I haven't thought about Black oak Arkansas in 35 years. Back then I thought the drummer was the shit with
has double bass drum kit. That led to my first set of Ludwig blue sparkle drums with double bass drums.
It was rock and roll for the next 15 years, then i got married.

I just looked, and I still have that same Black oak Arkansas album setting in my closet today.
Wow, what was I thinking.

medium jim · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Nov 2012, 05:54 am »

Rocky Athas was BOA's guitarist from 1996-2001 and is a regular attendee of the two main Vintage Guitar shows held in Dallas and Arlington TX. Super nice guy and on hellva guitar player.

Jim

WireNut · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Nov 2012, 06:06 am »

I kind of miss Black Oak Arkansas. Those where fun times.
On this one, the singer uses the washing board. That's talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBnUC8p2wgw&feature=related

brooklyn · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Nov 2012, 08:25 am »

How does one go from D-Class amplification to Black Oak Arkansas?????

Man, I was just getting into the D-Class amps and the Maggie thing.

SteveFord · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Nov 2012, 11:03 pm »

Sorry but Class D just doesn't do a washboard justice.
A zither, maybe but a washboard? You need that tube magic.

Jim Dandy reminds me a LOT of David Lee Roth. Has anyone ever seen the two of them together?

medium jim · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Nov 2012, 12:11 am »

I've seen both, but not at the same time. David Lee Roth wasn't yet with EVH when EVH played on the same bill with BOA. I have to give the edge to David Lee Roth though.

Black Oak Arkansas is like class D, both are a bit edgy!

Jim