On 27 Sep 2004 11:09:53 -0700, Fred Gilham
wrote:


Here's a link which discusses the difference between tubes and solid
state for recording preamps:

http://www.dwfearn.com/tvst1.htm

Here's the abstract of the article:

Engineers and musicians have long debated the question of tube
sound versus transistor sound. Previous attempts to measure this
difference have always assumed linear operation of the test
amplifier. This conventional method of frequency response,
distortion, and noise measurement has shown that no significant
difference exists. This paper, however, points out that
amplifiers are often severely overloaded by signal transients
(THD 30%). Under this condition there is a major difference in
the harmonic distortion components of the amplified signal, with
tubes, transistors, and operational amplifiers separating into
distinct groups.

This article may have some relevance in a studio control room, where
listening is commonly done at ear-hurting levels, but for domestic
reproduction - at least in my house - the amplifier never comes within
a mile of overload, so it is only the nominally linear part of the
transfer function that is of relevance.

d
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com