Why Tubes are still relevant.
While Tubes have always been a part of high end audio, there is much debate about them today. They have arguably higher distortion and don’t measure as well as SS circuits. But yet, they are still very much a part of high-end audio today. The key to this is in the way tubes handle distortion and the difference between human hearing and measurements.
Not All Distortion Is Equal
Distortion, or THD as we see it in specifications, is a specific measure of the entire distortion harmonic spectrum, and this is an important point.
Tubes produce even order harmonics, while solid-state produces predominantly odd order distortion. Even order harmonics are musically related to the original tone, reinforcing the fundamental rather than fighting it. These harmonics occur naturally in acoustic instruments and the human voice. This is why the human ear perceives this as natural.
Conversely, solid state circuitry produces odd order harmonics, that are dissonant, less musically related and is often perceived as harshness or glare, even at low levels.
It is true that solid state circuits have lower overall measured Total Harmonic Distortion. But, the ear is very sensitive to unnatural sound. Good modern tube circuits can have low distortion too and importantly is perceived as part of a natural soundscape.
The Ear Is Not a Test Instrument
Human hearing evolved over years, as one of our best defense mechanisms. It interprets spatial relationships, timing and phase, letting us know where the threat is and how fast it’s approaching. A sine wave is not the same and measuring THD is not measuring sound, but specific ‘errors’ or deviations from a reference source. The human brain interprets all sound as texture, density and presence.
Tubes embrace the natural harmonics of our world and tube circuits preserve the relationships between harmonics, timing/phase, and dynamics in a natural and organic way. This can’t be measured in a sine wave.
Microdynamics and Musical Flow
At low levels and with small signals, we see tubes’ true strength. They excel at preserving micro-dynamics. The small changes in level and harmonics that give music a sense of phrasing, time and motion. These aural cues are why people describe tubes systems as having ‘Ease’, ‘Flow, ‘Continuity’ and talk about the ‘Breath’ or ‘Air’ of the space. It is this microdetail that fills in the gaps in our sonic imagination. When we listen to music, this helps recreate the stage and performance in our minds.
Emotional Accuracy Matters
Many people choose tubes for their system not because they want a warm or romantic sound, but because they want to relax and enjoy the music. When our brain doesn’t feel the need to analyze the sound, we can truly listen and enjoy the music. This is when listening sessions stretch into the night, and we truly escape our own realities.
The Analog Bridge
Modern digital media offers ultra-high resolution, dynamics and accuracy. But, this alone does not recreate the original musical performance. When tubes are included in these systems, sonic context, aural cues and harmonic richness are there to flesh out and complete the original sound stage and space.
The Analog Bridge can be added to any solid state system, providing the organic sound of tubes, without adding significant noise, distortion or reducing bandwidth. It reintroduces the harmonic structure, organic flow and analog continuity that allows us to emotionally connect with music.
The best measuring, lowest distortion audio system can still sound sterile and uninvolving. The Analog Bridge doesn’t add warmth as much as it adds body, weight and 3-dimensionality that is lacking in solid state systems. Clean, low noise and low distortion designs are all good things, but every pallet needs color and context. That is the strength of the Analog Bridge.
At ModWright, we believe musical truth is not about measurements. It is about musical involvement, ease, and emotional connection. Sometimes, balance is better than perfection.
Elegance.Simplicity.Truth