In Reply to: how come tubes sound so harsh? posted by Don T on April 14, 2003 at 09:48:26:
They have a non-linear transfer characteristic. Any electrical newbie’s out there look it up in an engineering text if you like. It's a fact. This normally adds to harmonics which generally makes tubes sound richer in the critical midrange where the ear is most sensitive. This is precisely why tubes are preferred by many guitarists, including me, not that I'm any good. This is not fidelity. You may like it but it is not truth. If you want a true reproduction of what was originally recorded bipolar transistors, in a properly designed amplifier, are most likely to come the closest with today’s technology. MOSFET's are more like tubes in that, in general, their transfer characteristic is not as linear. I think more audiophiles need to learn a little about the science behind their hobby.
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Follow Ups
- All you electrical engineers out there know that the TRUTH IS tubes are non-linear. - Hifi Steve 17:31:06 04/14/03 (9)
- It is better to keep quiet and let people believe you are ignorant than opine and prove you are. - JCS 02:45:04 04/15/03 (0)
- Re: All you electrical engineers out there know that the TRUTH IS tubes are non-linear. - hahax 19:59:20 04/14/03 (0)
- Re: All you electrical engineers out there know that the TRUTH IS tubes are non-linear. - EBerlin 17:45:22 04/14/03 (6)
- Re: All you electrical engineers out there know that the TRUTH IS tubes are non-linear. - steve b 18:19:04 04/14/03 (1)
- Re: All you electrical engineers out there know that the TRUTH IS tubes are non-linear. - EBerlin 06:35:02 04/15/03 (0)
- Of course music comes first! - Hifi Steve 18:02:54 04/14/03 (3)
- Re: Of course music comes first! - jeff mai 00:56:19 04/15/03 (2)
- Triodes are more linear? - Hifi Steve 06:46:14 04/15/03 (0)
- Re: Of course music comes first! - Firefli 05:14:18 04/15/03 (0)