Why is the recent generation of tube gear so much more resolving?

[caesar]

Seems like in the last 2-3 years the batch of tube gear from companies like ARC, CJ, VTL, etc., is so much more resolving. What is the cause? Is it the circuits, the tubes, or something else?

 

[JackD201]

I think it is parts. Particularly caps. I have a few DIY amps using decades old circuit designs. Put in teflons and up goes the resolution. Just my very limited experience experimenting with a few different coupling caps.

 

[RogerD]

Don't forget the resistors. the Z-foils are very good.

 

[JackD201]

Haven't had my tech roll 'em for me Roger. What's the character change you noticed? He likes using tantalum, usually Audio Note. I don't think I've had any other.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Seems like in the last 2-3 years the batch of tube gear from companies like ARC, CJ, VTL, etc., is so much more resolving. What is the cause? Is it the circuits, the tubes, or something else?

Circuit in the case of cj. Getting rid of the cathode follower in the phono and pre and new, lower impedance, driver stage in the amps. Plus Teflon caps in circuit and PS.

 

[LL21]

One of our members had Teflon put into an old classic CJ premier...with stunning results...very close to the then flagship LP275. I think as mules would know better than I, circuit topology or something was advanced one big step further in GAT and ART amps... those 2 changes for CJ I think are both big improvements.

 

[Asamel]

I thought we decided that tube gear was obsolete.

 

[LL21]

I thought we decided that tube gear was obsolete.

Guess that means perhaps as many as half of WBF needs to upgrade their systems! Incl me! Honestly, with enough work, I know I could find either a SS or tube system that i could happily live with...fortunately don't have to. I have both in the system.

 

[MylesBAstor]

I thought we decided that tube gear was obsolete.

ROTFLMAO!

Don't forget turntables and tape too! And unpowered speakers.

 

[Peter Breuninger]

It's the newer capacitors. This is the greatest advancement in today's equipment sound. Capacitors... the final frontier.

 

[hvbias]

Biggest difference- more companies adopting CCS loading on the small signal tubes. Makes the tubes a lot more linear, also lowers differences between different tubes.

 

[RogerD]

Haven't had my tech roll 'em for me Roger. What's the character change you noticed? He likes using tantalum, usually Audio Note. I don't think I've had any other.

Resolution,clarity,detail,ect,ect.

I have used tantalums in my 440 and they are very good,but the foils are better. They are the teflon of resistors. I have ordered some TX2575 custom values for my MR70 modules needing just 3 for the high mu triodes and the feedback loop. These nuvistors are the most linear of all tubes,so I'm hoping with the teflons and the Z-foils,the result will be stunning.

 

[JackD201]

Thanks Roger

 

[puroagave]

Seems like in the last 2-3 years the batch of tube gear from companies like ARC, CJ, VTL, etc., is so much more resolving. What is the cause? Is it the circuits, the tubes, or something else?

imo, not over the last 2-3 years but certainly the last 20-30 yrs. we've come full circle on passive parts, theres an entire sub-culture that thumbs its nose at metal film resistors and teflon caps, they instead scour the earth looking for the last remaining stash of NOS carbon resistors and paper in oils caps. if one is right is the other wrong?

we have lamm and BAT and many other tube equipment mfrs that didnt exist when i got into the hobby, the progress i've noticed stems from more players with diferent design philosophies than anything else.

 

[RogerD]

imo, not over the last 2-3 years but certainly the last 20-30 yrs. we've come full circle on passive parts, theres an entire sub-culture that thumbs its nose at metal film resistors and teflon caps, they instead scour the earth looking for the last remaining stash of NOS carbon resistors and paper in oils caps. if one is right is the other wrong?

we have lamm and BAT and many other tube equipment mfrs that didnt exist when i got into the hobby, the progress i've noticed stems from more players with diferent design philosophies than anything else.

I think there's still more improvements to come on the passive side. as far as CR's and PIO's.....it's all subjective. At todays pricing of hi-end equipment,you better get quality parts or your getting ripped off.

 

[KeithR]

I think amps are starting to become simpler as well as more speakers are higher efficiency. Fewer gain stages, lack of global negative feedback, etc.

VTL Wotans and ARC 600s seem so 1999.

 

[puroagave]

I think amps are starting to become simpler as well as more speakers are higher efficiency. Fewer gain stages, lack of global negative feedback, etc.

VTL Wotans and ARC 600s seem so 1999.

and in 1989 it was the VTL ichiban and ARC M300

 

[JackD201]

imo, not over the last 2-3 years but certainly the last 20-30 yrs. we've come full circle on passive parts, theres an entire sub-culture that thumbs its nose at metal film resistors and teflon caps, they instead scour the earth looking for the last remaining stash of NOS carbon resistors and paper in oils caps. if one is right is the other wrong?

we have lamm and BAT and many other tube equipment mfrs that didnt exist when i got into the hobby, the progress i've noticed stems from more players with diferent design philosophies than anything else.

Lamm uses Metal film but insists on Carbon resistors.

 

[flez007]

Recordings are getting better in the digital space too...nothing to do with circuits and parts but also another important link in the chain.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Recordings are getting better in the digital space too...nothing to do with circuits and parts but also another important link in the chain.

So how do you tell when you listen to a system (or yours) whether the issue is with the system or the system revealing something in the recording that your equipment doesn't?