AES Analysis of Tubes vs. Transistors

[Brandon B]

The Audio Engineering Society in NY does a pretty sound analysis of the difference of tubes vs. transistors in sound equipment. Although the focus here is on equipment in the recording process, after reading, it seems to me the conclusions have some bearing on playback equipment as well.

BB

[JonMarsh]

Man, we could wrangle about this one till the cows come home. While it's definitely true that operating gear near or at the clipping point (which often is hard to avoid in the recording process- been their, done that) really highlights the differences between the two, (or between two different solid state amps, or two different tube amps), there's so much that goes on subjectively which I think is also related to how or if loop feedback is implemented (starting with the linearity and headroom of the differential input summing stage) that it's an excessive generality to say tubes or this, and solid state is that.

You can make a high gain op amp with tubes, and it behaves much the same as a solid state one- as regards linearity before clipping, and after.

You can make a non loop feedback amp using transistors (bipolar and fets), and soft clipping and gradually rising THD and IM will be present, just like the tube counterparts.

I guess my point is that it is as much the topology as the component...
Historically, certain approaches tend to get copied, often for economic reasons, so, since transistors are so cheap, but relatively low voltage, you see them in complex mult-stage amplifiers, and tubes, with their higher operating voltage and headroom, used more "sparingly" and with more care...


But you know what they say-- no generality is woth a d@m, inlcuding this one.


~Jon

[Brandon B]

Oh sure, undermine my confidence in the AES as a credible body.

BB

[JonMarsh]

Well, now, I'm an AES member- and that's not exactly the latest word on the topic... :W note which conference that paper is from. :E


Besides, you know what they say... challenge authority! :rofl:


~Jon

[Lex]

Of course it's a "sound" analysis! I read most of this, and it was pretty interesting. I can't say as to the validity of it all, but I am sure they made at least some valid points.

Lex