08-05-2020, 01:19 PM
My view is often 'simple is best', although going too far with DC coupling at one time probably gave the worst sound of all. I am probably happiest with straightforward valve or transistor amplifiers, both in making and the sound of. Obviously processing to the max will give theroretically whatever you want but there is generally no need. I suppose what I would really call the silliest thing of all (at least to me) is that complex processing circuitry, due to modern production methods, can possibly be far cheaper to implement than traditional designs.
This is an interesting thread. It does remind me about completing my transistor amps. previously posted, to which I have done some exploratory work with using miniature valves in a preamplifier circuit. I would have trouble giving concrete reasons but my feelings would be to use a valve preamp to drive a solid state output rather than transistors or IC's to drive a valve output, hence being able to keep to lower voltage and easier to manipulate output with devices and low impedance to directly drive speakers. This would also have the ability to have lower voltage valve feed (perhaps pretty much the same as the power amp stages). As mentioned / implied, useful valve type conditioning can be implemented early in the chain. If / when I get there I will share results.
Tracy
This is an interesting thread. It does remind me about completing my transistor amps. previously posted, to which I have done some exploratory work with using miniature valves in a preamplifier circuit. I would have trouble giving concrete reasons but my feelings would be to use a valve preamp to drive a solid state output rather than transistors or IC's to drive a valve output, hence being able to keep to lower voltage and easier to manipulate output with devices and low impedance to directly drive speakers. This would also have the ability to have lower voltage valve feed (perhaps pretty much the same as the power amp stages). As mentioned / implied, useful valve type conditioning can be implemented early in the chain. If / when I get there I will share results.
Tracy
