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The Tube Challenge

Which amp is the tube amp?

  • Amp 1

    Votes: 73 44.8%

  • Amp 2

    Votes: 90 55.2%
  • Total voters
    163
#185
Fun demonstration for what it is. You can compare a given amp at a given setting with a given input into a given cabinet, but don't forget each of the elements are interactive and, most importantly, intersecting sets don't demonstrate uniformity between the sets.
 
#187
Kindness said:
most importantly, intersecting sets don't demonstrate uniformity between the sets.
Click to expand...

Good point. I can find an EQ/volume setting on my GK 1001RB-II that sounds like my SVT or vice versa but their overall performance is so completely different that there is no merit in saying one can cop the other at a certain setting.
 
#188
seamonkey said:
A simple pot could be used in series with playback to to simulate the source impedance.
Click to expand...

No it wouldn't. While a pot could offer a voltage drop, it will be a simple change in DC resistance, not AC impedance, which is a function of the inductance of a passive pickup or current capability of an active circuit. It it were as simple as a pot, the Radial re-amp wouldn't be so expensive.
 
#193
JimmyM said:
Not quite. There's a new Tube Challenge about to be posted, this one will be much better. The last one was more of an excuse to record my SVT cab and evolved into a test. This is a real test, or as real as I can do with the limited stuff I have.
Click to expand...

Another group of singular test points within overlapping sets that you will use to draw unfounded conclusions regarding the unity (or lack thereof) of the sets? Fun. [Billy Madison to the imaginary penguin]Proceed.[/Billy Madison to the imaginary penguin]
 
#194
Kindness said:
Another group of singular test points within overlapping sets that you will use to draw unfounded conclusions regarding the unity (or lack thereof) of the sets? Fun. [Billy Madison to the imaginary penguin]Proceed.[/Billy Madison to the imaginary penguin]
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think it's a good idea to cover your butt in case you pick the wrong one ;)
 
#196
I agree, it is fun. Jimmy, if you are interested, my position is I could make those three amps sound exceptionally similar for purposes of a single recording each such that statistically there would be no consensus as to which recording corresponds to which amp. I could also prepare a series of recordings from each amp that would enable informed/experienced listeners to correctly identify each amp with statistically meaningful accuracy. My take is that sitting on this side of the computer, you should be able to fool me and my guess may be an educated one, but it would be a guess. I'd have no shame in getting it wrong.

I have no skin in the game, I use several tube amps on stage, I use a few solid state amps on stage, I build and repair each as well. I don't believe in "tube vs. solid state." I don't believe in "bests." I believe in helping people find the right tool for their intended purpose and I believe in helping people understand how each tool functions. I find a lot of the nonsense on this forum to be counterproductive, but I found your experiment here to be exceptionally helpful in bringing light to the similarities between certain amps that might otherwise be dismissed as opposites. However, just as it is important to note that these amps can sound the same in a given context, it would be a disservice to draw the conclusion that they overlap more than they do. That's it.
 
#197
Kindness said:
I agree, it is fun. Jimmy, if you are interested, my position is I could make those three amps sound exceptionally similar for purposes of a single recording each such that statistically there would be no consensus as to which recording corresponds to which amp. I could also prepare a series of recordings from each amp that would enable informed/experienced listeners to correctly identify each amp with statistically meaningful accuracy. My take is that sitting on this side of the computer, you should be able to fool me and my guess may be an educated one, but it would be a guess. I'd have no shame in getting it wrong.
Click to expand...
Tru dat, but I did my best NOT to do that. All I did was set them flat, stick a mic in front of the cab, match the volumes, and played. I think that's a reasonable test because there's no tone knob shenanigans.

I have no skin in the game, I use several tube amps on stage, I use a few solid state amps on stage, I build and repair each as well. I don't believe in "tube vs. solid state." I don't believe in "bests." I believe in helping people find the right tool for their intended purpose and I believe in helping people understand how each tool functions. I find a lot of the nonsense on this forum to be counterproductive, but I found your experiment here to be exceptionally helpful in bringing light to the similarities between certain amps that might otherwise be dismissed as opposites. However, just as it is important to note that these amps can sound the same in a given context, it would be a disservice to draw the conclusion that they overlap more than they do. That's it.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's a disservice at all. I think when you set them flat, the similarities are vast. I think the next test may surprise you. It is so obvious to me which one's the SWR, but again, I really think telling the Markbass from the B15 will be difficult.
 
#199
I chose the wrong one. In my defense, I didn't listen to the clips in their entirety. So I went back & listened through again. Once I got to the slap section I heard the error in my judgement.

I will say that I am very impressed by the high-end available from the B15 during the walking sections. It's crisper than any others that I've heard.

Well, done!
 

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