For most blues guitarists, this is a massive drawback. We've heard people describe them as everything from harsh, stiff, lifeless, and flat to downright boring!. The Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 100 2x10 Guitar Combo Amp is a great solid state amplifier that delivers a wide range of tones in Super Wide Stereo so you enjoy a more immersive playing experience at all times. At first, the concept of tube sound did not exist, because practically all electronic amplification of audio signals was done with vacuum tubes and other comparable methods were not known or used. They also offer faster transient response times and a clean, transparent sound favored by some bassists and producers. And we especially recommend that beginners who decide to practice music more often practice on tube amp, the difference will be very large. Do you guys reccomend Tube preamps such as the Mesa V pedal or the new Vox pedal board with a 12ax7 pre? Like a square to a rectangle, all digital guitar amps are solid-state, but not all solid-state amplifiers are digital. Push-pull, class AB tube power amps tend to clip much like solid-state amps, but they sound different because of their high output impedance. Every major guitar amplifier manufacturer designs amps with the use of either solid-state technology, or vacuum tube technology, or a combination of the 2. Solid State amp, aren't digital, they are as analog as a Tube Amp. Like its amp-cestor, this amp doesn't really need much other than a guitar to get the best out of it, and it sounds remarkably good. I've never had a tube amp and would love to get into the market but know I would need a hefty chunk of money to get anything worth while. Relatively small, say 15x22. I think it's unfair to consider SS amps as like porn is to real sex. A poor tube amp sounds every bit as. After all, tube amps are fragile, heavy, noisy, they get hot, they're inefficient and require regular maintenance. This may be caused by the output transformer, the transfer function of the tubes, or the choice of . Tubes Versus Solid-State Audio Amps—The Last Word (Or "House Of Fire," Part 2) Nov. 30, 2011 In the debate over tube amps vs. solid-state amps, Part 1 discussed the differences in applications. the modern tube sound is still ultra smooth and refined compared to comparable solid state amps. The near-tube quality comes with its simulations of different amps. Almost all guitarists would agree that given the same rated output power, that "tube amps sound louder". I got to use a THP HL-1.5 for about 3 weeks. In a nutshell: tube amp hard clipping good. Here in the UK Award Session do a cracking solid state amp, sounds really convincing. Or things like the PODxt ? Tube sound (or valve sound) is the characteristic sound associated with a vacuum tube amplifier (valve amplifier in British English), a vacuum tube-based audio amplifier. SS amps can be a little trickier to repair. Bob Carver: No, for a solid state amplifier, it's output impedance is so low that when it tells the speaker to move, the speaker sends the wave out which bounces off the walls and comes back. I was wondering if you guys know of ways to make a solid state amp sound better (as in more tube like). Also, different tubes sound different. That's why putting a 12AX7 in an effect won't really make the sound as tube like as you might expect. A solid-state amp can produce far more output (watts) than a tube amp of similar size. Other factor that makes solid-state amps a tolerable alternative to tube amps is the reliability, ease of maintenance and portability. The technology has really gotten good over time. Still then, only the HD-147 feels like a tube amp. This, in turn, gives you that warm and dynamic tone you would get from cranking a tube amplifier. BB did ok with Solid State, so did Wilko. Yet, it's $1,200 new. If you want that spongy, vintage sound, there are other ways to do it. For. Thr latter tube I think sounds like shit, but does come in useful in many . Some suck more than others. We don't cover the effects that can come on the amp in this lesson. Solid state hard clipping ugly, they "model" tube clipping with tons of headroom. The same can be said for good tube. Solid State circuits have a tendency to produce square waves when pushed, giving . Besides that, tube rectifiers kill the headroom of an amplifier. That's why putting a 12AX7 in an effect won't really make the sound as tube like as you might expect. 2. The paper was reviewed by two qualified anonymous reviewers. Tube amps aims at coloring the sound in a pleasing way, solid state aims to reproduce the music as accurately as possible. Some claim that they have measured a distinct difference between the distortion characteristics of tube amps and transistor amps. cd318. I'm disagreeing, saying that there is no mention or labelling of anything "JCM" on those solid state amps, and that the JCM series of amps are ONLY tube amps, whereas, the 5210 amps clearly . Tube versus Solid State. Remember, sound preferences are 100% subjective so if 100% faithful tone reproduction is what you prefer then avoid thinking about tubes Yamaha A-S501 Solid State Integrated Amplifier- $549.95. Amp-in-a-box pedals are ubiquitous among the modern landscape of guitar effects, with many manufacturers boasting at least one in their lineup, and others, like Catalinbread and Wampler, practically specializing in this particular niche. These are what make tube preamps and solid states so different. One way to get one step closer to the sound of a tube amp is a tube distortion pedal. They don't use current to directly alter the sound you are amplifying. Answer (1 of 14): Whether they do or not is subjective (hard to prove, if even possible to prove). vs. solid state. For instance, I'm not big on channel switching amps. Otherwise Doug's SS transformer gain designs would sound like tubes. Solid-state amplifiers are incapable of reproducing the full tone and response of tube amplifiers. Many . Tube amps are often considered to be 'the best' type of amp over digital and solid state amps, and as a result are quite highly sought after. In the 3-5000 dollar range are great ss amps from Bel Canto, Hegel, Primaire and Rouge. Hi everyone, i'm having a debate with someone online regarding the Marshall 5210 solid state amps. Marshall Code50. The sound has a clearer dynamic: a person who has trained to play on tube amp will play much better than a person who has practiced on Boss (Solid State). + the $300 footswitch. Solid-state amplifiers (SST), such as transistors and FET are driven by current and vacuum tubes are voltage driven. Even order sounds better. I like my cleans from a good solid state, pristine and shimmering, with a touch of reverb. News and Reviews. Tube amps are voltage-driven and solid states are current-driven. 2) the ability to alter the tone and quality with different tubes. That kinda head room is difficult to get from a tube amp, they tend to get kinda soggy. I would say there can be a definite difference in sound, for better or worse, with tube amps, pre-amps, etc. And this is the sound that guitarists have in mind when they are trying to craft vintage sounding blues tones. They work very well in front of a SS amp or a Tube amp for that matter. The notion that Tube Amps are by definition better or worse than Solid. Before we dive deep into this article on tube amp vs. […] This is because tubes impart a tonal color and influence onto your sound that most digital and solid state amps can't. Nowadays there are solid state amps, and more specifically modeling amps, that can do a pretty awesome job of delivering a tube-like sound, but they can do a whole lot more such as modeling the sound and responses of other specific amp models, modeling effects, amp profiling (essentially, creating a digitalized scan of a real amp), downloading presets from your . Even with special processing, it's possible to get a few steps closer to the sound of a tube amp but no solid-state amp will sound entirely like a tube amp. I would say there can be a definite difference in sound, for better or worse, with tube amps, pre-amps, etc. We have put the amps in order of price to make things easy, starting with the most affordable, leading up to the more boutique offerings on this list. There's a reason why Schiit used the 6SN7 for their preamps, but the not 6922 or 12A_7. (That's why they're expensive than the solid-state amps) 1. The Butler 4-knob unit like b-squared's would be good; even their 5-knob pedal ain't too bad for classic rock. Note that many high end solid state amps also try to mimic a tube sound by having an artificially rolled off high . I like that sound with a tube guitar amp, I don't like it with stereo amps. In the end, tube amp vs solid state amp represents two different ways to approach sound reproduction. you may be able to get by with an odyssey khartago, from Klaus, at about $800 and replace caps. Vitus Audio RS101 ($14,640 USD) Use a Tube Preamp Distortion Pedal. Tube amps saturate even order harmonics and solid state saturated odd order harmonics. I grew up with a McIntosh system in our house and it was the biggest PITA imaginable (like tube TVs). amps vs. good solid state amps. All the overdrives listed sound absolutely great with a tube amp that have a dash of preamp distortion already going on, but with a solid state amp I don't know. While tube amps have earned their favorable reputation for all of the positive buzzwords guitar players and engineers like to throw around - warm, fat, thick - it seems like solid-state guitar amps are on the opposite end of that spectrum. A solid state amplifier will not . IMHO Different tools for different jobs! --Does it matter at all if there are tube rectifiers in the circuit? solid state amps have been dissed since they first came out for providing poor sound quality compared to tube amps, but solid state amp technology has made huge strides in the interim, and they've really caught up in terms of replicating tube tone. However, some tube companies make their tube amps sound more solid-state like (for power) and some solid-state products can sound very tube-like. THE SOUND OF TUBES. Many say that the tube amplifier has a clear, loud, warm, and smooth tone. IMO, tube amps are generally easier to fix yourself. We love sounds that have ambiance and echoes and stuff like that. Likes Received: 220. Whereas the solid-state has quieter yet detailed sound quality. For most who desire the benefit of tubes, it's a small price to pay. Many solid-state amps have more tone options than tube amps, especially on the higher end models. Helper circuits create things like asymmetrical clipping and distortion on demand, using simple diodes. If you take the time to make a tuning chart for your tube amp (similar to a tuning chart for a manual tuner), you can make band changes a bit more quickly. While on paper, audio purists may be offput by the lab measurements of tube amplifiers, this type of distortion is often referred to as 'harmonic distortion' for its pleasing and musical timbre. I am currently using a Tmax (tube and solid state hybrid) as a preamp and using a fully digital CS800s (1200 watts of ground shaking madness) as a power amp. Tube amps are very expensive, and most blue lovers would prefer solid-state as the cheaper option but still experience considerable quality blues tone. Vacuum tube amplifiers (VT) require a transformer between the device and the loudspeaker. The majority of digital amplifiers are modeling amps, which means they contain microprocessors that use digital effects to create tones to simulate the sound of a range of tube amplifiers and different sized speaker cabinets. Although half the power with its 50 watts, it still manages to bring a solid punch and great tones for both practices and live gigs. The BOSS Katana, and now the BOSS Katana MKII. A tube amp's "warmth" in my experience usually describes two different qualities, namely a tube circuit's tendency to produce more higher order harmonics than a solid state circuit, and/or the natural compression or sag from a tube amp's power source. One stomp on the pedal later I can go back to the origional tweed sound or something more like a overdriven tube amp. Heins believes that the tube sound tends to come to life when the volume is above 3, whereas digital amps "should sound good from the bottom up." This means that if you're looking to rehearse at home or play in your bedroom with headphones, solid-state amps may have the edge there. These are what make tube preamps and solid states so different. I think the differences between tube and solid state sounds are more obvious on clean sounds than distorted ones. On the otherhand a good tube amp is hard to beat when it is on the cusp of breaking up. --If a tube based amp is designed to avoid "tubey sound", does it have any impact on the output impedance, current, or other factors that differentiate tubes from solid state? The power supplied to the amp runs a chip that simulates the sound you desire, so it's wise to buy a solid state amp geared to sound like the style you wish to play. 4) a more refined sound, especially in the treble. Unfortunately, unless it's an HD-147 or Vetta it's not going to sound like a tube amp. What tubes do is distort as they are driven. This futuristic looking Yamaha amp had an interior that strove to be equally cutting-edge, with solid-state circuitry, flat Flexion speakers, and then-new silicon transistors and diodes. 7 Pedals that Recreate Rare Tube Amplifiers. It was designed to work with amps that have lots of headroom, which most solid state amps have. They work well. When the solid-state guitar amp arrived in the late '60s, it may have been technically superior to tubes, but guitarists preferred the warmer richer sound to the "harsher" or more "brittle" sound . I think the Tubescreamer sounds awesome on any amp. What tubes do is distort as they are driven. I can fully attest to the quality of this amp's tone, and h. Answer (1 of 16): I am going to be heretical and suggest that this amplifier has cracked the code, as much as any has, it is affordable and has become today's most popular guitar amplifier. The power amp is only 23 lbs, and 2 spaces high. So we figure that snap judgment re: solid state vs tube can be quite outdated. The Solid-State Power Amplifier . If we think we can make a solid-state amp sound like a tube amp, we're supposing that it sounds neutral from the beginning. Joe Nino-Hernes, Jun 30, 2007. Many say that the tube amplifier has a clear, loud, warm, and smooth tone. Able to produce 50 watts per channel in pure Class A, this stereo amp excels at creating both precise imaging and an enormous soundstage—like a top-notch solid-state amp, but like with all the best amplifiers, Doshi Audio delivers the inner beauty that often comes with valves. Since tube amps have that kinda sag at a certain point, which sounds cool, solid-state is a nice compliment to that. They are claiming that they are infact "JCM 800" amps. If you have a good solid state amp that has beautiful cleans but no dirt, there are lots of options. I like that sound with a tube guitar amp, I don't like it with stereo amps. But fact is that solid-state amps don't all sound the same, but show equal sonic differences as tube amps among them. We need current to make a loudspeaker produce sound, so SST devices can be connected directly from their output to a loudspeaker. "Practicing at night, you don't have to worry about . The cool thing about this amplifier is the fact you have . If you have a bad solid state amp that sounds like crap clean, no pedal will save you. Conversely, solid state amps don't break up and overdrive like tube amps. I control the tone with the tube side of the tmax. In particular, tube power amps exhibit a peak in their frequency response by as much as 10 dB or more at the resonance frequency of the speaker they are driving. Solid State Amp Recommendations. Oh, and for the record, I have tube amps. as has been said, a solid state amp probably won't sound like most tube amps. The truth is that just because an amp is built . Just like the one we described above, Marshall Code50 features one 12-inch speaker. this is a key reason for me. One of the main reasons pros and hobbyists alike choose tubes for the amps, is the warm sound. With the advancement of solid-state technology I would have to admit, solid state amps are getting much more love these days when it comes to a worthy gigging amplifier.. Coming in as part of Boss' second generation of solid-state amps with digital tweakery, the Katana-50 MK II offers increased tonal flexibility, and the option to run up to five effects at a time instead of three. Li begins from the assumption that tube amps do indeed sound different. Still then, only the HD-147 feels like a tube amp. There is a punch to the note that the power amp tubes provide that SS power amps don't really have. Of course, for some types of music, solid state is the preferred amp, and it's for very reasons that tube and solid state amps sound different. Tube amps have a warmer sound. But there you go. In October, 2011, Shengchao Li of Potomac, MD, presented a paper, "Why Tube Amps Have Fat Sound While Solid-State Amplifiers Don't," to the Audio Engineering Society's 131st convention in New York. #6. I'm looking to build a new system for the living room. But to try to answer what many people find att. 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