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The Convention Wisdom / Thought Is....

Posted by drlowmu (M) on April 28, 2007 at 08:42:15

In Reply to: operation points posted by horny on April 27, 2007 at 14:27:50:

That higher currents is better sounding in output filamentary triodes, and I built and listened like this for 35 years.

However, I have recently found that lower voltages and currents in triode output stages sounds better to me. Far less STRAINED!!!!!!! sounding, with more freedom and ease of musical delivery. Ask ace custom amp builder and audio guru, Jeffrey Jackson, how much current he LISTENS to at home, in his own triode rig !!

You see, the technoboys look at tube curves and distortion plots ALONE to answer your query, and their usual ( boring ) answer " by the book " IS technically correct, but not practically correct. They totally fail to consider that the tube is in a circuit with OTHER components, and when you reduce the current through, say, a SE output transformer, from say 60 mA ( the "book" on a 2A3 ) to 45 mA. truly MAGIC things happen sonically to the overall delivery of the music, IF, ( a big word ) all else is optimized in the SE amp !!

Of course, all else is SELDOM optimized in 97% of the SE amps out there, so, they typically " push " the tube to get some clarity, and to make up for their very poor wiring implementation, and ludicrous high DCR, C and HY power supplies, implementations that are now obsolete, .... but few understand this.

The very few however, the 3% ( or less ) who DO build in the new style however, they are all digging it. I do come off sounding elitest here, but frankly, thats just the way things sound to me now in 2007, the truth - in MY latest set of audio experiences.

OK flat-earthers, have a really good "go" at me now. I've left you a large target. But IF you've heard what I heard, you cats will whistle a different tune. How many have I OFFENDED with this post? Better and far more important yet, who will openly consider what I've reported, try the newer implementation, LISTEN to it, and build even better gear?? Time will tell. Cheers to all.

Jeff Medwin

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.

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