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We've all seen some great sunset photos. Some of them use filters to distort the real colors, but they are wonderful. Tube amps, according to popular wisdom, do the same to the sound. Many people prefer it this way, myself included on some occasions. It really is a matter of taste, isn't it?

I think the main thing that attracts audiophiles to tubes are the high levels of musically consonant harmonic distortion, and the warm glow of the tubes themselves. Then factor in a bit of retro-chic, plus "tone control" effect and there you have it! What audiofool with money to burn could resist?

Old ones rolled off highs and lows, but modern ones don't. When people talk about "tube" sound vs "transistor" sound, they're often talking about different types of harmonic distortion. You can't mimic these distortions with EQ, although you can mimic them with certain DSP studio effects.

Why would I agree with this? Anyone attending a concert, performed by live musicians playing acoustic instruments together, in real time and real space, will agree that an audio system with tube electronics comes a whole lot closer to recreating the sound of "live" than does that same system using transistor electronics.

Keyword: SOME (as in not all). Do tube amps (in general) sound closer to the live experience in many important ways? My answer is yes. Anyway, all components to varying degrees are tone controls.

To equate tube amps with equalizers is like equating solid-state amps with treble emphasis and flattening of the sound stage. You have to address each piece of equipment on its own merit. I personally have always liked the tube signature more than that of soild state, and have owned high end amps from both camps.

Tone controls, now thats a vodoo subject isn't it, even thought we are constantly changing the sound of our systems with the myriad of changes we constantly make to our listening room and equipment. I don't really know about tubes even thought I own two, but I do know that they sound good and the glowing glass is way cool, sorta like those soft blue light components. I just like the whole effect. Audio and visual. And, if you can improve the sound somewhat by rolling tubes then all the better.

Changing tubes does alter the sound of the component, so there is definitely some user tunability with tubed gear.

Tube amps are more musical and listening to solid state for longer periods can be fatiguing especially with efficient speakers.

If one really believes that tubes sound warm (and I do), then, obviously, the sound is shaped a certain way by the tubes. Therefore, I guess that one can say that they are tone controls of a sort.

The dynamic qualities of tubes are far more special than the tonal qualities.

Anyone who thinks tube amps are "just" glorified equalizers hasn't listened much to tube amps (especiall SETs)—or is deaf.

Absolutely, but they sure look cool.

Then what about preamps?

I alternate between two amp setups, either bi-amped with 300Bs on top and solid-state on bottom or full-range with solid state (in the summer heat). The primary difference to me is the delicacy, detail, and subtlety of the tubes vs the unassailable power of the solid-state. Some people may use tubes for tone controls, but in my system it appears to be much more about nuance and heart than frequency balance.

Tone Controls? I think that they are preffered because the provide a sense of rawness that you cannot achieve with your average solid state amplifiers and can provide different sonic signatures by swapping out the tubes to get a desired effect, tone controls sort of, but different

I'm equally as "guilty". I have a CD player, the Conrad-Johnson Sonograph CD-22 that is well regarded as "tubey". Tubes have warmth, some sort of magic. I don't for a second think they are "accurate". But just maybe they are "real". Go figure and think about it.

Sounds like another sandman to me. Dr.Gizmo come back to us.

Nothing wrong with that. Not much highs or lows unless you get the REALLY expensive stuff

Tubes, like solid state gear, have some distortion. The distortion they have, however, sounds better than solid state distortion. AS WELL, when used properly, vacuum tubes can be MORE accurate than solid state stuff.

By the same token solid state amplifiers also act as equalizers since no two amps sound alike!

Ah, but what glory!

As is every component, cable, speaker, and even music. They are all in one way or another a "tone control." A true equalizer allows one to change the tone variably, where as a tube piece of gear only has a particular sound.

I think there is some truth in what he says, due to high output impedance of tube amps. Couple this high impedance with amplifier feedback and you have the oppurtunity of altered sound. At least, the oppurtunity is greater than with an amp that has low output impedance.

Dumbest thing I've heard so far today.

Only poorly designed tube amps act as tone controls. Manufacturers like VTL and Manley Labs produce the most neutral amps around. Such blanket statements are terrible for the industry.

The last tube in an audio circuit I remember listing to was in an old TV. I remember it had a mellow sound to it and a nice glow. I miss those trips to the drugstore to check my tube out. Say, what ever happened to those tube checkers anyway? I guess they went the way of the foot X-ray machines at the shoe store. Sad, but true my friends.

Equalizer implies you have some control over the discreet band widths of the audio spectrum. While tube amps add their own particular warmth or color to the sound, I believe it's wrong to equate that with equalization. There are different processes going on within a vacuum tube over which the listener has no control of.

They probably do change tone somewhat, but I sure like the sound more than my transistor gear.

Tube amp preferences baffle me. Every analysis indicates tube amps add noise and distortion. I think Mr. Burwen is being kind. I think they're expensive room warmers!!!