powertubes............does it matter?

I've seen these Johan videos a few times. I don't consider them to be an actual comparison, for one thing, getting an accurate representation of what is heard "in the room" into a digital YouTube clip is a pretty big ask (like, impossibly big).
Another thing, Johan pretty well always attenuates, we can usually see the attenuator sitting atop the amp head. That right there is a big no-no if you're trying to fairly & honestly compare the sonic quality of tubes, especially power tubes.
Still another thing, as AMS & Sysco have already spoken of,,, completely wrong "kind" of test for comparing power tubes. What I would like to see for a more honest attempt at a comparison is no attenuation at all & then comparative recordings at different levels of drive, clean, on the edge of breakup (where it can be played clean or pushed into overdrive depending on picking dynamics), & then also at a couple of different levels of power tube saturation.
IMHO, done as they are, these type Johan comparisons are nothing more than click bait. Cheers
 
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Im not really PUSHING SS here--

TBTH - my MAIN "daily driver" amp is my blackstar ht1r Mkii -- LOVE that stupid little thing I cant GET a bad tone out of it period

I also have SS amps I love -- and HYBRID amps I love and MODELING amps I love -- all for different reasons/moods/tones

DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY WITH THE SOUND IN YOUR HEAD --

I was "amazed" --pleasantly at the variations the tube swap made in the Lil Sexy ---it was FUN and interesting to see how a different 12ax7 altered the tone in a small hand wired "boutique" one off amp

the same changes to a VHT - i-16 HYBRID ......well little to NO variances and very little worth the time invested---
that said the VHT links to web APPS and can get tones and tweaks the Lil Sexy cant even begin to mimic-----all depends on WHAT YOU WANT--


we have SO MUCH at our fingers tips now days ---- its truly mind blowing compared to waht they HAD TO DO to make sound in the 50's----60's--- 70's etc
 
eSGEe said:
I was "amazed" --pleasantly at the variations the tube swap made in the Lil Sexy ---it was FUN and interesting to see how a different 12ax7 altered the tone in a small hand wired "boutique" one off amp
Click to expand...
These small, low gain single ended type amp designs can really show up the tonal differences between different tubes, especially if we use the amp & guitar volume controls to get various tonal shades, rather than just diming everything.
I have a few different NOS tubes for use in my 5F1 champ type amp. I know common wisdom recommends an RCA 12AX7 for V1 in these, which I do have, but by far my favourite in this position is a Sylvania 12AX7. Big, harmonically rich 3D tone. If you ever get the chance, try a NOS Sylvania in V1 of that Lil Sexy amp. They can still be had for a reasonable cost & I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Cheers
 
oh this will piss some folks off .......................but -- it is littered with good information sorta between the typical Groovy Grove gabblagook


yes....its long...............its Scott Grove...............
 
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eSGEe said:
Im not really PUSHING SS here--

TBTH - my MAIN "daily driver" amp is my blackstar ht1r Mkii -- LOVE that stupid little thing I cant GET a bad tone out of it period

I also have SS amps I love -- and HYBRID amps I love and MODELING amps I love -- all for different reasons/moods/tones

DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY WITH THE SOUND IN YOUR HEAD --

I was "amazed" --pleasantly at the variations the tube swap made in the Lil Sexy ---it was FUN and interesting to see how a different 12ax7 altered the tone in a small hand wired "boutique" one off amp

the same changes to a VHT - i-16 HYBRID ......well little to NO variances and very little worth the time invested---
that said the VHT links to web APPS and can get tones and tweaks the Lil Sexy cant even begin to mimic-----all depends on WHAT YOU WANT--


we have SO MUCH at our fingers tips now days ---- its truly mind blowing compared to waht they HAD TO DO to make sound in the 50's----60's--- 70's etc
Click to expand...

Don't you have an Orange too? Esgee
 
eSGEe said:
well I have this orange........
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Im from the camp of : if it works and you get a great sound, then what the hell does it matter what the make up is? Admittedly, im biased to Valve amps because they are louder at the same nameplate watt rating, more headroom and i just dig the warm sound.

But that being said, ive owned many SS amps, still got a few combo ones and i also still have and use quite frequently, a hybrid ( SS poweramp and Valved preamp). I can find a great sound i enjoy out of any of them, albeit a lil more EQ adjusting but im perfectly fine using them and would own more in fact

I think the turnoff of SS came in the early days of their creation when it was pretty awful for the most part with a brittle, thin, artificial tone. But by the 80s, SS had began making leaps and bounds in their circuitry and tones and nowadays, some would fool you outright in a double blind taste test
 
I own all 3 flavors full on tube-- hybrids --basic SS -- MODELING/Tube hubrid -love em all -- for different reasons

the "orange" tone above is ..............................................................??????????? I let ya'll guess..........
 
eSGEe said:
I own all 3 flavors full on tube-- hybrids --basic SS -- MODELING/Tube hubrid -love em all -- for different reasons

the "orange" tone above is ..............................................................??????????? I let ya'll guess..........
Click to expand...
I guessed wrong last time on one of these " Guess the sound" bits with the Laney Mini Lionheart. Is it that again? Lol
 
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