Why do tubes sound better than solid-state?

Tube power amplifiers sound their best at the volumes at which you actually want to enjoy them. Just like digital systems, solid state amplifiers measure and sound their worst at low levels, and have their best performance at close to their maximum output levels where no one ever actually plays them.

What makes a tube microphonic?

What causes tube microphonics? Microphonic vibrations are most often caused by internal component electronics like transformers, relays, motors, and external vibrations like sound waves.

How do I know if my 12ax7 tube is bad?

Loss of Power and other Odd Noises Sometimes you will hear strange sounds, loss of power, or heavily distort sound. These are signs that a tube is failing. Often power loss that seems like the amp is performing at half power or less will be one or more bad power tubes, or even a dying phase inverter tube.

Why do different vacuum tubes sound different?

It’s due to minute physical differences in the tube’s structure. A tube’s physical (and therefore electronic) characteristics not only change from manufacturer to manufacturer (as you can see through the glass), they also change from tube to tube.

Why do guitarists prefer tube amps?

Professor Keeports said: “Although solid state diodes and transistors are cheaper, more practical, and technologically more advanced than glass valves, valves survive because so many guitarists are exacting about their tone, and prefer the sound a valve amp gives them.”

How do I know if my tube is microphonic?

Lightly tap on each tube with the eraser end of a pencil and listen for a ringing or rattling noise. Tubes that are not microphonic will be quiet. bad, microphonic tubes will sound like a bottle with springs in it.

How do you know if you have a microphonic tube?

Tap each tube with the eraser end of a pencil. If you get feedback or a bell-like ringing sound, the tube is microphonic. If you hear a dull thump, the tube should be fine and perfectly usable.

Do tube amps sound better than solid-state?

Do Vacuum Tube Amps Sound Louder Than Solid-State Amps with Higher Output Specs? They sound louder but are not actually louder. It all has to do with harmonics. When a vacuum tube is driven into overdrive (outside its linear region), it goes into clipping at a much slower rate than a solid-state device.