Vacuum Tube Amplifiers
Tube or Solid State Electronics, Which Sounds Better?
There are two classic arguments that will always raise feathers among Sound Advice audio gurus. First is the debate over analog or digital music sources. Is the sound of LP records better than digital music? Second, and sometimes even more heated, is the debate over vacuum tube and solid state electronics. Which sounds better? Both camps are passionate about their viewpoint, but the arguing nevertheless goes on.
In this tutorial we will look at the second debate: tubes or solid state electronics, which sounds better? But first we must mention that we are looking only at audio reproduction electronics, and not music instrument amplification that’s used with guitars and such. In music instrument amplification the goal is to create a pleasing sound. In audio reproduction the goal is to recreate sound as accurately and pleasingly as possible. Two very different animals.
 |
The Vacuum Tube
The importance of the vacuum tube cannot be overstated. Invented in 1904, the vacuum tube made all modern electronics possible. Without tubes, radio, television, audio, and even computers could never have been constructed. In its most basic form, a vacuum tube is simply a device that controls electric current through a vacuum in a sealed container. It is this controlling and altering of the electric current that gives the vacuum tube its well earned place in the history of electronics. |
There are many types of vacuum tubes, each with a specific use in mind. One classification of vacuum tubes is by the number of active electrodes. A device with two active elements is a diode. Devices with three elements are triodes, commonly used for amplification and switching. Additional electrodes create tetrodes, pentodes, and so forth. An in-depth explanation of each of these is beyond the scope of this tutorial, but a quick Internet search will provide you with all the answers, if you desire.
Until the 1950s, all audio electronics used tubes. But that was about to change.
 |
Solid State Electronics.
In 1947, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain at Bell Labs performed experiments and observed that when two gold point contacts were applied to a crystal of germanium, a signal was produced with the output power greater than the input. The transistor was born. This compact, efficient, and most of all cheap device was destined to replace the vacuum tube. And it nearly did. Today, nearly everything electronic is solid state. And that’s why we can hold in our hands a device that not only makes calls, but also surfs the web, takes pictures and video, and much more. Thank God for solid state! But out in the fringes of the audio world tubes hung on. There must be a reason.
|
The Resurgence of Interest in Tubes.
We have Russia and China to thank for the resurgence in the interest of vacuum tube audio electronics. Here in the USA tube manufacturers closed shop years ago. But in China and Russia there still was a demand for tubes, so a supply of good quality and reasonable priced tubes was (and still is) readily available. Lots of audio buffs became interested in tubes again, which spawned a cottage industry of companies bent on satisfying this small but avid clientele.
Cut To The Chase. Which Sounds Better?
Back at Sound Advice the showroom debate rages on:
“You’re an idiot. Tubes sound much better.”
“Hey moron, solid state is every bit as good.”
The fans of tube audio gear will immediately say that tube audio gear sounds much better. “It’s more natural and satisfying than the sound from transistor amplifiers. There’s a roundness, richness, and warmth to the sound that’s totally missing in solid state equipment. The experience of listening to music becomes much more intimate and real.”
Fair enough. Over the years there have been many AB comparison tests that agree with these conclusions. And this writer also agrees that tube equipment has a distinctive, more musical quality.
But in the end, it is a personal decision. Yes, tube gear is more expensive, bulkier, and much less energy efficient when compared to solid state gear. But all of these disadvantages fade away as soon as the music starts playing. It’s an experience that all music lovers must have at least once in their lives.
 |
Hybrid Amplifiers – The Best of Both Worlds.
Tube amplification is expensive, bulky, and power hungry. But it also sounds fantastic. As a smart alternative electronic engineers have come up with something new: the hybrid tube amplifier. An audio amplifier is actually made of two parts: the preamplifier and the power amplifier. Often they are separated into two components, but many times they are built together, commonly known as an integrated amplifier. Some clever manufacturers are now using tubes in the preamplifier section and solid state transistors in the power amplifier section. The warmth of tubes with the power and efficiency of solid state. Not a bad compromise.
|
Tube amplification is expensive, bulky, and power hungry. But it also sounds fantastic. As a smart alternative electronic engineers have come up with something new: the hybrid tube amplifier. An audio amplifier is actually made of two parts: the preamplifier and the power amplifier. Often they are separated into two components, but many times they are built together, commonly known as an integrated amplifier. Some clever manufacturers are now using tubes in the preamplifier section and solid state transistors in the power amplifier section. The warmth of tubes with the power and efficiency of solid state. Not a bad compromise.
Testimonials from our great customers
“Sound Advice gave us a simple remote with only a few buttons that is very simple to use. The competition tried selling us a complicated All-In-One remote.”
Mike J
“When we arrived home the TV was on the wall and the music was playing… Great Service”
Sandra M
“We have used Sound Advice in multiple homes over the years. And now They manage our family business technologies. Another successful experience”
Mark S
“Speechless. Our new Sony Laser Projector has an amazing picture and the kids actually use it.”
Monarch