- Thread Starter
- #21
Agree with that.I think the real issue is that the different headphones sounded different on both.
Agree with that.I think the real issue is that the different headphones sounded different on both.
I think the real issue is that the different headphones sounded different on both. That's a big negative. This means that the amp is a limiting factor and can't be trusted to be transparent depending on what headphones I'm putting on.
Well some people don't want their tube amp to be tubey sounding - surprisingly! But <ahem> I do. No what I meant in my post was that different headphones sounded different on the same amp and the review implied that it was the amps fault - not just normal headphone variance. And for me that's showing that the amp is a limiting factor since the sound appears to vary.While you're right in a sense, isn't the whole idea of a tube amp that it should sound just a little different from solid state, otherwise why bother with tubes in the first place if they sound just about the same? A slight sort of coloration (due to distortion/harmonics?) is to be expected no?
I wouldn't want the distortion to be single digit THD+N though... but I've no clue how much my Bottlehead crack (speedball upgraded) actually distorts, all I know is that I love how it sounds in combination with the HD650
Oh I see. I see your point, now.Well some people don't want their tube amp to be tubey sounding - surprisingly! But <ahem> I do. No what I meant in my post was that different headphones sounded different on the same amp and the review implied that it was the amps fault - not just normal headphone variance. And for me that's showing that the amp is a limiting factor since the sound appears to vary.
Very nice, long anticipated review!
I wonder if those weird distortion figures are what I hear when I listen to the Fulla2.... it really doesn't sound very full especially with the planars. It might be these distortion figures having some sort of issue with power output or current levels?
After looking at the thd more closely, that looks pretty bad for the Schiit. Its in audible territory. BTW how much power is the usb port capable of doing on the ap machine? Im assuming its connected to your ap via usb.Agree with that.
Yea I mean, it sounds great even with my FiiO K1 though....With planars you are probably pushing them right into their absolute worst performance, you just need something more powerful.
Doesn't that concern you? How do you know which one is most accurate, has the least distortion, least noise, etc.?...every tube changes the sound and the tubes are not just for show.
Doesn't that concern you? How do you know which one is most accurate, has the least distortion, least noise, etc.?
I can understand the idea of rolling tubes in guitar amps in order to achieve the kind of signal distortion that sounds best, but for audio, I want accuracy, not euphonic distortion. And that's not something that I (or anyone) can determine by ear, without measurements.For instance the Sylvania blackplate is a little grainy but it's warm and very deep bass in comparison to one of the Mullards which has a cleaner/lighter low end with a silky smooth mid range
I can understand the idea of rolling tubes in guitar amps in order to achieve the kind of signal distortion that sounds best, but for audio, I want accuracy, not euphonic distortion. And that's not something that I (or anyone) can determine by ear, without measurements.
The unique sound characteristics are created by the distortion though.It's not just distortion that is the factor, It's about unique sound characteristics .
The unique sound characteristics are created by the distortion though.
Many beloved recording people listen to are produced using tubes. Many of the classic microphones also use tubes. Tubes are not just distortion producers. The distortion is below the threshold of hearing. The spectrum of distortion and overload characteristics are different.I don't think tubes provide high accuracy so I think it is fine to see them as a means to tailor the sound people want. Without it, it can become just a higher distortion solid state amp.
Many beloved recording people listen to are produced using tubes. Many of the classic microphones also use tubes. Tubes are not just distortion producers. The distortion is below the threshold of hearing. The spectrum of distortion and overload characteristics are different.
With a single tube in the path, I wonder where's the crosstalk measurement?