AFAIK all of the amps pictured have hybrid preamps that use tube stages for gain and colouration but use transistor or op-amp stages for a lot of the additional EQ features. I just looked up the schematic for the SVT 2-Pro, and if you replaced every op-amp stage in that graphic EQ with one triode of a preamp tube it would need at least another eight tubes. So it's fair to say that preamps using only tube stages generally incorporate fewer of those features.
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All-tube amp advantages?
- Thread starter Hambone 70
- Start date
AFAIK all of the amps pictured have hybrid preamps that use tube stages for gain and colouration but use transistor or op-amp stages for a lot of the additional EQ features. I just looked up the schematic for the SVT 2-Pro, and if you replaced every op-amp stage in that graphic EQ with one triode of a preamp tube it would need at least another eight tubes. So it's fair to say that preamps using only tube stages generally incorporate fewer of those features.
the old car analog fits very well here. VW Beatle Turbo v Porche 911 Turbo. Two doors four wheels and an engine. What are you getting for the other 200 Large? The key difference is plebs can buy the tube amp on credit.
I prefer amps without graphic EQ. A dozen gain stages? For what?
D
Deleted member 165050
Guest
I think I'll take the Porsche, I reckon the extra 350hp could come in handy if I need to outrun the cops after a diamond heist. Plus I've always wanted to make donuts in a Porsche.
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
You're saying hybrids and tube amps don't have multiband graphics or parametric EQ's? Hmmm...
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They have to be done with solid state. Doing that feature set with valves is not practical due to the limitations of using valves for stuff. Showing as many examples of having to use solid state for a feature set won't change the fact that the feature set uses solid state.
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
For stuff like multiband graphic or parametric eq or very linear response in the eq. Or a pre that is very small and has a broad feature set.
It sounds comparable to the old analog vs digital synth fight, mainly DCO's or digital controlled oscillators. For those who don't know this is when you have an analog oscillator but control it digitally. This allows the use of some generally digital only features on true analog synths, which has led to confusion around certain DCO synths being digital or analog.
Of course a hybrid amp is more comparable to a fully digital/ analog hybrid synth which are a whole other beast.
Nothing wrong with solid state EQ sections. Neve studio EQ's and preamps are probably more popular today than they were when they were introduced in the 70's. A number of companies as well as AMS-Neve market products based on the originals. But a big part of their sound is in the transformers. They add richness as do tubes but in different ways.
Discrete transistor circuits are alive and well.
Discrete transistor circuits are alive and well.
The vast majority of bassists just want a simple EQ that sounds good and enables them to find a small but decent variety of sounds without hassle. Hell, look how many bass players leave their knobs at noon on every amp they ever play.
D
Deleted member 165050
Guest
To me, that is the sign of a good bass amp
As a sometime sound engineer my feeling is always that the best EQ is no EQ...
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
Amps with graphics like you pictured are pretty popular. A lot of bassists would probably be better off with knobs that don't do much though, eqing is a skill in itself.
All tube Amp advantage? The most amazing sounds my ears have ever heard for one!
Just plug a Ric 4003 into a Traynor YBA-300 and Hit the strings with a Dunlop 1.0mm Plectrum. You won't want to play anything else through anything else.
Just plug a Ric 4003 into a Traynor YBA-300 and Hit the strings with a Dunlop 1.0mm Plectrum. You won't want to play anything else through anything else.
That's why I like Ampeg SVT/V4B type preamps so much. You can get a ton of different but good sounding tones out of a relatively simple set of controls.
I do agree with you soooo much!!! Every time I see someone saying a tube amps is not 100% tube because "there are"' some transistors inside is just nonsense to me. Not to say ridiculous.Picky picky picky!
Because there a re a several transistors used in a tube amp, it won't sound like a tube amp anymore???? Serioulsy....
This is why the phrase "all tube" in the way it is usually used is essentially a marketing phrase with little meaning. There's nothing wrong with using solid state parts and tube stages together to get the tone shaping and feature set required, so why the need to describe it as something it isn't? Nobody is saying that the presence of silicon somehow negates the effect of the tube stages, and there are some functions where there would be no sonic advantage in using a tube.
I have recently built a DIY preamp with a 6sl7 valve, passive tone stack and high-voltage FET stage as the output buffer, so I've nothing against the concept, I'm just not going to attach the phrase 'all tube' to it. Why not call it what it is?
I have recently built a DIY preamp with a 6sl7 valve, passive tone stack and high-voltage FET stage as the output buffer, so I've nothing against the concept, I'm just not going to attach the phrase 'all tube' to it. Why not call it what it is?
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
