In a guitar amp, what does the number of tubes in the preamp mean?

Answer 1

Each has to perform a certain number of set functions, so the room for true ...
The Tube preamp, for instance, has a total of 19 tubes, each of which ...
The Tube Preamplifier
"The alpha male of line-stage preamps
Sound "Its own noise floor is exceedingly low -- below audibility, really -- which helps it uncover the lowest level of detail in a way that's unmatched in my experience." It also has "a very forceful, immediate presentation that… makes for exceedingly wide dynamic range." "There is also a weightiness, especially in the bass, which has great depth and power.
The Tube is a fully balanced line-stage-only preamp, Only nine of the unit's 19 tubes are used for the main line-stage circuit…. The other ten tubes are used at The Tube's inputs -- five inputs, one tube for each channel. Each input has its own separate self-contained circuit, none of which is inactive or out of the preamp's main circuit.… Instead of the selector switch choosing which input's signals are routed through to the outputs, it instead turns on the heater supplies of the pair of tubes for the chosen input."

Each input has its own pair of tubes, The Tube allows experimentation and fine-tuning like no other preamp. You can pick the input tubes that sound best for each source." "The minute-long delay as the tubes for the current input come to life and those for the previous one die out makes quick switching among inputs an impossibility."

I suspect that for some listeners, its clear, forceful sound will make it the obvious choice, even at its considerable price.
High-end audio is filled with unusual products that are often labeled "revolutionary" or "innovative" when, in fact, they are more like their peers than different from them. Each has to perform a certain number of set functions, so the room for true novelty is small. It is often most outwardly represented by a nearly superfluous feature or unique appearance. Yet it is the differences among audio products that separate one from another, especially in the minds of audiophiles, who, at their very core, are not interested in mass-market concerns.

The Tube looks on paper to be just another remote-controlled stereo preamp, some investigation proves that it is a thoroughly original design, it's how those tubes are used in The Tube's case that makes it unique. The Tube is a fully balanced line-stage-only preamp with a few twists. Only nine of the unit's 19 tubes are used for the main line-stage circuit. Eight of these are 6922/E88CC dual triodes; there is also a single 12AU7/ECC82. The other ten tubes are used at The Tube's inputs -- five inputs, one tube for each channel. Each input has its own separate self-contained circuit, none of which is inactive or out of the preamp's main circuit. In normal circumstances, if all of the inputs are effectively live, signals from each would occur at preamp's output. However, The Tube doesn't represent any kind of normality. Instead of the selector switch choosing which input's signals are routed through to the outputs, it instead turns on the heater supplies of the pair of tubes for the chosen input. Therefore, only the signal from that input is live.

This has some interesting implications. First, while you can switch quickly among the various inputs, The Tube takes a minute or so to produce music from any one that has just been selected. Signal from the previously chosen input slowly fades out as the signal from the new input is heard. Second, because each input has its own pair of tubes, The Tube allows experimentation and fine-tuning like no other preamp. You can pick the input tubes that sound best for each source. Like the sound of rare Telefunkens with your CD player and NOS Mullards with your phono stage? No problem for The Tube.

As I've already hinted, The Tube is a dramatic-looking component, though rather compact for a preamp: 17"W x 6 1/4"H x 15 1/2"D and 33 pounds. Its price isn't compact at $13,850 USD. It comes standard with two single-ended inputs, three balanced inputs, and balanced outputs, but you can order it with single-ended outputs as well. In front are the volume and input knobs along with a window for the remote-control sensor and an LED that lets you know The Tube is on. There's not much space on the narrow back; accordingly, the IEC power-cord inlet is on the bottom of the preamp and near the front. It requires a power cord with a 90-degree connector. Aaudio supplied a heavy Isoclean Focus cord ($1000) for my use. A tube cage is standard equipment, and while it isn't exactly attractive, leaving it in place doesn't mar the look of the preamp.

Answer 2

i'd say not. one hundred watts of tube potential is plenty. it really is a lot volume that turning it up previous 3 or so is probably to get the police officials observed as on you. area of the reason you imagine your modern-day amp is so quiet is because it purely has a million 12" speaker. in case you get something, get something with more effective than one speaker... both as a mix amp, head and extension cab, inspite of. i does not propose going any higher than 50 watts in case you get a tube amp - they are far louder than similar good state amps. Saul

Answer 3

Call up or visit a guitar center. They can answer that right off.