Question about tube distortion through hybrid designs

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by TheBarnard, May 18, 2016.

  1. TheBarnard

    TheBarnard Friend

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    So as I understand, hybrid tube amps do the gain stage through the tubes, and this is where the coloration comes in

    Tube amps like the Schiit Lyr2 and Mjolnir 2 are said to be pretty neutral (if a little bright) as far as hybrids go.

    So, will going to the highest gain, and increasing volume on amp beyond listening levels (but not maxed out), and turning down volume digitally, increase the characteristic distortion of the particular tubes being used?

    I'm listening like this on my Lyr2 with HE560s right now and it's noticeably softer than typical, so I'm wondering if this is placebo, or my thought process here makes sense
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    How don't you know the coloration (or omission) comes from the transistor output devices and not the tubes?

    Lower gain whether on tubes or transistors, assuming some sort of negative feedback, results in a more dampened and less lively sound with more constricted stage.
     
  3. TheBarnard

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    I didn't mean to imply that coloration only comes from tubes, but I was specifically wondering about the coloration the tubes impart

    I guess my question is: if I have stock Schiit tubes and and OGs, would turning up the gain and volume very high (compensating with digital volume) bring about more differences between these tubes.

    Or, would turning gain and volume very high bring me closer to a traditional tube amp experience
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Higher gain could mean less feedback overall resulting in higher output Z, more distortion, less power transferred to transducer and softer sound - regardless of tube or transistor. Especially for low impedance headphones.

    Honestly, I'm more worried about the coloration and errors of omission of transistors than tubes.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2016
  5. TheBarnard

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    I'm not worried about the colorations, I'm actually wondering if this is a viable way to increase the colorations of tubes. Not necessarily for normal listening

    Thanks for the quick responses
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Running higher gain with less feedback will allow you to experience more distortion from either tubes or transistors. However, oddly enough, despite higher distortion, many other aspects can sound better.

    The best way to get tubey coloration sound is OTL with cheap caps or craptastic cheap OPTs with massive low end distortion. Maybe a cathode bias PP EL34?
     
  7. TheBarnard

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    Running with low impedance planars here, so that leaves me with expensive OTC solutions, yeah?
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Na, just get a chi-fi tube amp to experience the ultimate in toobey. They don't cost that much.
     
  9. TheBarnard

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    Any suggestions?
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Darkvoice, Little Dot. Sometimes a WA2 can be had for cheap. Search EL34 on aliexpress. I absolve myself from all responsibilty if these Chi-Fi products are infested with radioactive trace elements such as cesium, polonium, californium, zhong-guo-nium, or toxic heavy metals embedded in the metal of the chassis.
     
  11. Artasia

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    Zhong-guo-nium. LOL. Literally laughed out loud at this.
     

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