Tube vs SS amplification for resolution

[Werd]

What output typically has better resolution is it tubes or SS?  The parameters may include price equivalence or transformer VA size.

Does SS typically have better resolution at the expense of tube distortion?

Need a good answer.

[tmazz]

What output typically has better resolution is it tubes or SS?  The parameters may include price equivalence or transformer VA size.

Does SS typically have better resolution at the expense of tube distortion?

Need a good answer.

Nether. A good quality amp will have better resolution than a poorer on regardless of the type of amp it is. A perfect amp would make an exact replica of its input signal except with higher voltage and current swings. But we all know the perfect amp does not exists. What gives any particular amp its characteristic "sound" is when and how it distorts the input signal.
In general, SS devices tend to distort the odd harmonics, which are unpleasant to the human ear (fingernails on a blackboard produce a lot of odd harmonics), while tubes tend to distort even harmonics, which most folks perceive as must less noticeable and/or annoying. Thus the reason for the traditional "Tube sound".

However as amps have improved over the years they are producing less and less distortion overall, which has in turned caused the tube and solid state sounds to start to get more and more similar to each other. How many times in the past few years have you read a review that said a particular SS amp was tube like in nature. That is because the better the amps are the more they will sound the same.

[richidoo]

Tubes are still used for FM transmitters, so there is no technical limit to tube resolution in the audio band. The practical limit imposed on consumer audio equipment is the output transformer. This is heavy, expensive materials and technically challenging to design, so it is always compromised in commercial gear to be able to compete. Custom OPT can be built to whatever specification you want, flat 10Hz-100kHz, 500W, the only limit is your imagination and budget.

There are exotic magnetic materials that has extremely high permeability that are ideal for OPT, like Permendur, but again price.

Manley Snapper that I used to own was as resolving as Spectron Musician above 60Hz.  If you want bass resolution, you'll need a heroic OPT like VLT or ARC you may still prefer the godalmighty slamm of 500W bipolar transistors. Musical taste steps in here. Halcro and Spectron, Mark Levinson Model 50 bass is unmusical, imo. Too much slam is distracting.

But too little bass control from SET with inadequate OPT is also annoying. Border patrol 300B SEPP has excellent bass, but you pay for it, power supply and OPT are state of the art.

[Triode Pete]

What output typically has better resolution is it tubes or SS?  The parameters may include price equivalence or transformer VA size.

Does SS typically have better resolution at the expense of tube distortion?

Need a good answer.

To be perfectly honest with you with a GREAT answer, you should be more concerned about the DISTORTION that your SPEAKERS produce!!!

I just returned from our (Volti Audio, Raven Audio & me (TWL)) room at the New York Audio Show.

The last track we played tonight was "EXTREMELY LOUD" for fun on Greg Robert's 104 dB efficient Volti horns was Rihanna's "S&M" track...

We were pushing close to 20 watts on 104 dB horns with Dave Thomson's (Raven Audio - extremely nice BTW) 26 watt push-pull 300B amps...

IT WAS EAR OPENING with the room door opened. Everyone came out of their exhibitor rooms wondering, "Where this "Night / Dance Club" music was coming from??? (It was hilarious!)

IT WAS CLEAN, SUPER LOUD, tight slamming bass and most importantly, DISTORTION FREE!!! 

You could never get this super clean SPL out with the neighboring 89 dB super expensive Focal speakers with the giant Naim 500 watt mono blocks... the speakers would distort to death...

Just saying... if you have solid state or tubes, don't worry... Worry about your SPEAKER DISTORTION that no one talks about!!!

My big $0.02,
Pete

PS - We will perform this same demonstration tomorrow at closing (5 PM), for those brave enough!!!  Have fun!

[richidoo]

Rihanna is the best pop singer. Lyrics sometimes make me blush and or vomit, but OMG that voice.

[topround]

I like Katy Perry, invited her out to dinner by email, she has not responded................ yet..........

but I keep checking my email.....

[rollo]

Tubes are still used for FM transmitters, so there is no technical limit to tube resolution in the audio band. The practical limit imposed on consumer audio equipment is the output transformer. This is heavy, expensive materials and technically challenging to design, so it is always compromised in commercial gear to be able to compete. Custom OPT can be built to whatever specification you want, flat 10Hz-100kHz, 500W, the only limit is your imagination and budget.

There are exotic magnetic materials that has extremely high permeability that are ideal for OPT, like Permendur, but again price.

Manley Snapper that I used to own was as resolving as Spectron Musician above 60Hz.  If you want bass resolution, you'll need a heroic OPT like VLT or ARC you may still prefer the godalmighty slamm of 500W bipolar transistors. Musical taste steps in here. Halcro and Spectron, Mark Levinson Model 50 bass is unmusical, imo. Too much slam is distracting.

But too little bass control from SET with inadequate OPT is also annoying. Border patrol 300B SEPP has excellent bass, but you pay for it, power supply and OPT are state of the art.

annie

   Si senor the trannie can be a limiting factor. The Bering amps are a perfect example of a non trannie based amp. I will never forget the way the Lenehans sounded with that amp as well as modded Maggie Tympani speakers. Amazing actually.

charles

[richidoo]

Berning amp looks very interesting, thanks for mentioning that Charlie.

It looks like a tube/SS hybrid.  Maybe no output transformer, but some interstage transformers according to the patent circuit.

[rollo]

   Should have clarified no output trannie.

charles