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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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In Reply to: simple answer. Kinda posted by Maxxc on June 19, 2005 at 20:21:12:
The differences come into play LONG before clipping sets in i.e. transient response and circuit stability related. An amp doesn't have to "clip" in order for distortion to be produced or the signal smeared. If it isn't "fast enough", the transients lack intensity and the peaks aren't of the proper amplitude. These are both distortions, but are different in the fact that they deal with both the volume of the signal and the duration of the signal.It is a commonly understood fact that MOST ( not "ALL" ) tubed circuits are TYPICALLY a LOT slower than most well designed SS gear. In effect, the slow speed of the tubed gear "saves itself" from damaging speakers that might otherwise be exposed to a higher amplitude and longer duration signal that would be produced by the "more responsive" SS gear. It is also that "slow and round" quality in tube circuitry that helps maintain a more consistent average power, which would otherwise be more dynamic by nature IF the output was linearly tracking the amplitude of the input. Our ears hear that difference in average power vs dynamic power, even though the variances may be neither long in duration or large in amplitude. This is why amps are measured in RMS wattage ( a conservative "average" figure ) rather than in peak power. We are FAR more sensitive to sustained energy levels than we are to dynamic variations.
Obviously, there are some exceptions to the aforementioned generalizations, especially in the tube camp. As an example, Atmasphere tubed amps are quite fast in terms of transient response making them a notable exception, but they lack stability ( due to their somewhat higher output impedance ). As such, they simply aren't a good match for lower impedance speaker loads. If one can mate them with an appropriate loudspeaker load i.e. one that stays above 8 ohms or more, they can achieve most of the benefits associated with the "speed" of SS without incurring many of the drawbacks associated with the "slow & round" tube sound. Obviously, this takes a lot of care and thought to build such a system, but then again, isn't that why we are here to begin with??? : ) Sean
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Follow Ups
- Tubes, Transistors, Speed & Stability - Sean 22:54:32 06/19/05 (2)
- Sorry to disagree. - Al Sekela 13:47:43 06/20/05 (1)
- Re: Sorry to disagree. - Sean 17:25:21 06/20/05 (0)
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