Many music lovers prefer to listen to their favorite tunes using tube sound amplifiers. What is the specificity of these devices? Based on what criteria can I choose the optimal model of the corresponding device?
What is interesting about tube sound amplifier?
Amplifier is one of the key components of the acoustic infrastructure, which is responsible for increasing the power of those signals that come from sound sources, switching the corresponding devices, adjusting the volume level, as well as transmitting the signal, the power of which is amplified, to the audio equipment intended for to play melodies.
In tube amplifiers, radio tubes are used as a key element of circuitry. They act as reinforcing elements. As a rule, tube amplifiers provide less sound distortion. As many music lovers note, the corresponding devices are characterized by a warmer, softer reproduction of melodies - especially when playing medium and high frequencies.
Another major advantage of tubeamplifier - in providing in many cases a richer sound in comparison, for example, with transistor devices. This is possible due to the unique properties of the lamps themselves, which, for example, are adapted to function without auxiliary correction, which is necessary to maintain the operation of semiconductor devices.
Single-stroke and two-stroke devices
Lamp devices are most often classified into 2 main categories - class A and class AB. The former are also referred to as single-cycle. In them, amplifying elements stimulate an increase in the power of both half-waves in the signal - both positive and negative. The second devices are also called push-pull. In them, each subsequent cascade of increasing power involves the use of different elements - one may be responsible for the positive half-wave, while the other for the negative. Class AB amplifiers are usually more economical and efficient, often more powerful. But there are sometimes discussions about this among music lovers.
The devices under consideration in many cases are much more expensive than their transistor counterparts, despite the fact that their design is quite simple. Many music lovers assemble the corresponding devices on their own - however, you need to try to find the best tube amplifier circuits - on 6P3S, for example, or other popular tubes. For connoisseurs of music played using the devices in question, their price often becomes secondary - if a decision is made not to assemble an amplifier, but to buy it. At the same time, the characteristics, of course, playundeniably significant role when choosing a device. Consider what they can be, as well as examples of popular models of the corresponding type of device.
ProLogue EL34 amplifier: specifications and reviews
According to many experts, the best tube amplifier, or at least the leader in the corresponding criterion (from those that relate to the budget segment) is the ProLogue Classic EL34 device. This device can function using two types of lamps - the actual EL34 or KT88. In this case, the user does not have to reconfigure the amplifier.
According to experts - reviews reflecting their opinions can be found on many thematic portals - one of the main advantages of the device is its equipment with interfaces that allow you to apply a load to the lamp smoothly, which helps to increase its service life. The amplifier is equipped with an efficient volume control. The device has a fairly large power, which is 35 W.
Triode Amplifiers
Another budget amp is the TRV-35 by the Japanese brand Triode. The fact that it is assembled in Japan largely determines the quality of the respective product. The amp is versatile - it's arguably the best tube amp in its segment from that point of view. Lamps that can be used on the device - EL34, in some cases it is possible to use ElectroHarmonix elements manufactured byin Russia.
According to experts, among the most noteworthy options of the amplifier in question is the ability to connect to modern home theaters.
Another well-known product of the Japanese brand Triode is the TRX-P6L device. According to some experts, this device is the best tube amplifier in the Triode line in terms of functionality. So, it contains, in particular, a four-band type equalizer, which is designed to optimize the timbre of the sound of a melody, taking into account the specific acoustic situation in the room, as well as the parameters of the sound systems used. The device in question allows you to use different categories of lamps - EL34, 6L6, and also KT88. The device is equipped with a feedback depth regulator. The amplifier can operate in 2 modes - triode and ultralinear.
Another noteworthy device under the Triode brand is the VP-300BD amplifier. Many music lovers ask a common question: "Single-ended or push-pull tube amplifier - which is better?" They can, having chosen exactly VP-300BD, which belongs to the devices of the first type, remain very satisfied with the purchased device. The device in question is a triode, classified as an open-type amplifier. It may be noted that the output stage of the device operates on 300V triodes, which are classified as straight channel.
Audio Research VSi60
Among the most famous tube amplifier brands areAmerican Audio Research Corporation. The VSi60 device belongs to its most technologically advanced products. Many music lovers are convinced that tube amplifiers are better than transistor ones, and the device manufactured by an American company allows us to put forward a strong argument in favor of devices of the first type: according to experts, the amplifier in question provides the most impressive sound scale, quite comparable to transistor devices. The main lamps that the American device works with are KT120. The volume control of the considered amplifier is electronic.
Unison Research Amplifiers
Another well-known brand of devices in question is Unison Research. The most effective solutions developed by this corporation include the S6 amplifier. It is arguably the best tube amp, or at least one of the leading ones, in terms of the combination of class A features: high power of 35 watts, as well as a significant damping factor. The device uses 2 straight-channel triodes placed in each channel.
According to experts, the amplifier in question is characterized by the highest sound quality in terms of detail and purity of the reproduced melody.
The next well-known product under the Unison Research brand is the P70 amplifier. In turn, it is two-stroke. Music lovers wondering why a single-ended tube amp plays better than a push-pull amp is changing their perception somewhat.the effectiveness of the respective devices by listening to music while using the device in question. The developers of the P70 amplifier have managed to provide exceptionally high sound quality with a very impressive power of the device - more than 70 watts.
According to experts, the device can be connected to an acoustic infrastructure that forms a fairly impressive load. The device in question is also characterized by genre versatility. If we consider the best tube amplifiers for listening to rock music - the P70 device is rightfully attributed to the leading solutions.
Among the well-known single-cycle products manufactured under the Unison Research brand is the Preludio device. It also functions in class A. It uses powerful KT88 tetrodes. The power of the device is 14 watts. Therefore, the amplifier requires connection to an acoustic infrastructure with a sufficiently high level of sensitivity.
McIntosh
Another well-known brand that produces amplifiers is the American corporation McIntosh. Many music lovers, wondering which tube amplifier is better, first of all associate the highest quality products with precisely those devices that are produced under the McIntosh brand. This corporation is one of the world's most recognizable manufacturers of audio equipment in the Hi-End segment.
It can be noted that McIntosh's MC275 product first hit the market in 1961. Since then, it has made a number of improvements, but it is still released underhistorical name. In principle, this amplifier is one of the legendary devices, one of the best products in the world in the Hi-End segment. The device uses KT88 lamps. The power of the amplifier is 75W in stereo playback mode.
Audio Note
Another well-known brand in the amplifier market is Audio Note. Among his most popular products is Meishu Phono. Possibly the best tube amp in its segment when it comes to technology purity. So, it does not involve a single semiconductor. In the structure of the power supply of the device, there are 3 transformers, 3 kenotrons, and 2 chokes. The output stage uses 300V triodes. The design of the amplifier has an effective tube phono stage. The device in question has a rather modest power, which is 9 watts. Nevertheless, the device is compatible with many modern types of floor acoustic equipment.
Determining the best tube sound amplifier based on the subjective perception of its work is quite difficult. However, you can get closer to solving such a problem by comparing certain models of devices according to the main characteristics, as well as analyzing the corresponding parameters.
Choosing the best amplifier: model comparison parameters
What parameters can be considered as key? According to modern experts, the most important characteristics in this case can be:
- power;
- frequency range;
- harmonic leveldistortion;
- signal-to-noise ratio;
- support for communication standards;
- energy consumption level.
In turn, these parameters can be compared with the price of the device.
Choosing an amplifier: power
As for the first indicator - power, it can be represented in the widest range of values. Optimal for solving most problems that characterize the use of a tube amplifier is about 35 watts. But many music lovers are only welcome to increase this value - for example, up to 50 watts.
At the same time, many modern high-tech devices of the corresponding type work perfectly even at a power of about 12 watts. Of course, in many cases they require connection to a high-performance acoustic infrastructure. But the use of efficient audio equipment is one of the mandatory attributes of the application, in fact, of those devices in question. Why a tube amplifier is better than more modern device modifications is a question that is not particularly relevant for many music lovers, since they have repeatedly been convinced in practice of the objective superiority of the corresponding devices in key parameters. And therefore, they try to carry out testing and practical use of tube amplifiers on pre-prepared equipment that meets the highest requirements.
Frequency
Regarding the frequency response of the amplifier - it is highly desirable that itwas in the range from 20 to 20 thousand Hz. Although, it should be noted, it is quite rare for modern manufacturers of devices in question to supply amplifiers to the markets that do not meet this criterion. It is difficult to find equipment in the Hi-End segment that would not reach the specified frequency parameters. One way or another, when buying a tube amplifier, for example, from a little-known brand, it makes sense to check in what range it supports the frequency.
Harmonic distortion
As for harmonic distortion, it is desirable that they do not exceed 0.6%. Actually, the lower this indicator - the better the sound. The best tube amplifier in a particular segment is often determined primarily on the basis of harmonic distortion. It should be noted right away that the corresponding indicator is not the most significant in terms of ensuring good sound quality. However, this parameter characterizes the response of the acoustic infrastructure to the input signal. It is rather difficult in practice to ensure the stimulation of the response of acoustics during measurement in the same way as it is done when playing real signals. But modern tube amplifier brands are trying to provide the lowest harmonic distortion. Prestigious models of devices are able to provide it at a level not exceeding 0.1%. Of course, their cost may be incomparably higher than competing models with a higher harmonic distortion, but for a music lover, the question of price in this case may be secondary.
Signal-to-noise ratio
The next parameter is the signal-to-noise ratio, in modern tube amplifiers it most often corresponds to 90 dB or more. In general, this value can be considered very common when comparing the characteristics of various devices, even if they are presented in different segments. Therefore, if the task is to choose a good single-ended tube amplifier or, for example, a push-pull one, then the parameter in question will not always objectively reflect the competitiveness of a particular device. One way or another, the higher the corresponding indicator, the better. It is desirable that it be at least 70. Some top-end amplifier models provide a signal-to-noise ratio of more than 100 dB. But their price, as in the case of harmonic distortion, can be impressive.
Other options
The rest of the parameters - support for certain communication standards, power consumption, are significant, but secondary. It makes sense to pay attention to them, all other things being equal, according to the indicators that we examined above. One way or another, for a modern amplifier, it can be considered typical to have support for a sufficient number of stereo pairs - about 4, an audio output for sound recording. Regarding power consumption - its optimal indicator is about 280 W.
Of course, when considering which tube amplifier is better, many subjectivefactors. Most often, music lovers evaluate the corresponding devices based on their: design, build quality, sound level, ergonomics.
All of the above parameters can be compared with the price of the device, which can be represented in a very wide range of values. But a person for whom the question of why a tube amplifier is better than a transistor amplifier is not particularly relevant, since he knows the answer to it, the price, as we noted above, may not always be considered the most significant criterion when choosing a device for organizing listening to your favorite tunes.
