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From: ncpjmw@brahms.AMD.COM (Mike Wincn)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Tube-amps
Message-ID: <8430@uwm.edu>
Date: 18 Dec 90 14:46:20 GMT
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In article <8032@uwm.edu> mikes@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu (Michael Squires) writes:
>In article <7965@uwm.edu> nvuxl!hsong@bellcore.bellcore.com (g hugh song) writes:
>>
>>What is **TECHNICAL** (proven) merit of hybrid/tube amplifiers over
>>modern all-transistor amplifiers?  If you think transistors are better,
>>give me the reason also.
[...]
>I personally don't see any reason why a new solid-state design can't sound
>as good or better than a tube design, and lots of reasons why a solid-state
>design after six months will sound better than a tube amp after six months.
[...]
>Mike Squires (mikes@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu)     812 855 3974 (w) 812 333 6564 (h)

I don't have much direct experience with tube amps, so the most I can relate
is anecdotal.

I've been told, and have reason to believe, that the biggest difference
between tube and transistor amps is that tube amps go into "soft" clipping
when over-driven and transistor amps go into "hard" clipping under those
conditions.  And that the "hard" clipping sounds more harsh than does 
"soft" clipping.  I've not heard any comments as to performance at levels 
which do not over drive the amp, so I don't know what difference to expect
there, if any.  I expect that the biggest difference between "hard" and "soft"
clipping is the presence or absence of higher-ordered harmonics of the
program material, and higher-ordered components are what make the music
harsh. 

MOS and Junction FETs exhibit characteristics that are similar to tubes, 
so you might expect that amps deisgned with FETs will show similar "soft"
degradation.

Otherwise, I expect that the only difference you could detect would depend
on your own audio acuity, experience, and the various types of equipment
you buy. (i.e. - there is little detectable difference between components
that are carefully designed, and correctly used in the first place.)  

--
Mike Wincn 	ncpjmw@brahms.AMD.COM 
(408) 749-3156  DISCLAIMER:  I speak for myself unless noted otherwise.