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how come tubes sound so harsh?

Honest I've probably heard 15 different tube systems in the last couple of years and I'd say 10 of them sounded harsh. The other 5 sounded like I generalize the sound of vintage solid state mid fi electronics - wooly bass and rolled off high frequencies.
This is not to say I haven't heard SS systems that sound harsh, but other than lofi stuff, even the brightest and most fowarding sounding SS never sounds as harsh as the typical tube systems I come accross.

For my tastes the most naturally sounding systems I have heard are built around low/mid (under 100 watt) solid state power amplifiers with regulated power supplies or class A designs.

I'm really interested in this as my opinion seems somewhat contrary to the generalizations I hear about the sound of tubes. I'm not sure if the lack of brightness (rolled off highs?) that could be what causes the kind of harshness I hear when listening to many tube systems - seems like lot's of people seem to think this is a "forgiving" or "musical" quality.


Give me rhythm or give me death!


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Topic - how come tubes sound so harsh? - Don T 09:48:26 04/14/03 (72)


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