Hi, I love music. And, as a musician, I highly appreciate the lamp equipment. Not at all for the unique clear sound, as many might think. Come and select any guitar amplifier https://musirank.com/ , we will be happy to help.
An analog (tube) player produces a set of "signal + noise." Moreover, if for transistor audio systems the noise can be a detachable component, then the lamp circuits do not separate the grain from the chaff, reinforcing (or distorting) the entire recording. From where it gets to the amplifier - from a digital or analog source - there is no difference. This is the very "shade", which is so appreciated by lovers.
What gives the listener a similar approach to sound processing? A lot of distortion and the very unique sound that appears on digital audio circuits during equalization. In fact - the noise of the elements (circuit, transformer, recording itself) and inaccuracy. But this inaccuracy is soft, smooth (this is how the lamp works, smoothing out sharp signal transitions).
On the other hand, transistor amplifier circuits give the listener a lot of additional, extra sounds. If to explain to the general user, the essence is as follows: each amplifier in operation “duplicates” (not quite, but it will be clearer) the sound wave (each!), And transmits to the listener with lower volume and time lag.
The number of such duplicates for analog and transistor devices varies. If the tube amplifier on average generates no more than 3 additional waves with a sharp drop in volume, then the transistor one - up to 20, distinct and often audible, is almost less than the original sound wave.
Another feature of the “tube sound” is the overload compression set in the circuit. The transistor digital circuit starts wheezing at some point or cuts hard, clipping the extra frequencies. "Lamp" independently cuts off what will lead to unnecessary distortion during overload. Soft and pleasant.
Moreover, those distortions that appear when the sound is amplified, also behave differently. In lamp technology, they are proportional to volume (power output). In digital, the largest distortions appear at the minimum and maximum.
Finally, the most pleasant thing. When the tube amplifier overheats, the same distortion appears, which is now called the “guitar” lotion. No wonder that guitarists choose tube amplifiers: each circuit gives its own sound to the instrument.
When listening to music it is not so important. But there is a certain equalizing effect, unique for each analog circuit. And it is incredibly difficult to imitate him.