Is what you’re hearing the amp or bad tube synergy? It’s sort of like adding an additional component into the chain that also needs to be figured out. Like trying an amp with a DAC you’ve never heard before. Is it the DAC you’re hearing or the amp? You likewise can’t learn the sound of a DAC without hearing it with a bunch of amps to triangulate.
I thought most tube amps are more colored by the transformers. Anyway, if the amp plays well with so-so tubes, then it says a lot about the amp. I wouldn't want an amp that only plays well only with excellent tubes.
The rabbit hole of tubes is why I now cap tubes for each amp at a certain budget, both time and money.
Although I have some nice tubes already, I find my desire to chase after X unobtainable tube less and less. Which reminds me, I need to sell some tubes.
With stock tubes, I can tell if something has potential or not, or if it sounds broken. Finding a good tube is a hassle. So I use ss as much as possible. To find a good tube, an easy start is figuring what's wrong with the stock tube or the headphone's FR. I do the hard part only if I can't connect emotionally with my ss amps—which happened for years after Dad died.
@rhythmdevils Strictly speaking, if every individual piece of equipment sounds neutral, synergy hasn't been a factor. At best, it's the cherry on top (which I always give my wife anyway). Synergy's an obsession here only because a good number of guys here enjoy colored headphones; they even keep a "stable" of varied headphones for whatever reason.
I always consider designers know the sound before it exists. Even after it exists as a product they know the sound. I’m sure a designer could suggest something’s to do or if it isn’t right for a specific person.
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