I hate to say it, but now I think maybe I like my amp in ultralinear mode versus triode

Isn’t ul mode solid State? Doesn’t it make sense that more would be involved for solid State and that it would sound a little bit 

I think use of the word ultra linear is a marketing term and kind of dumb

@mulveling

@gs5556

@atmasphere

Enjoyed reading all your comments to explain this technical area. Very difficult to understand things without a diagram and that’s what’s needed here.

I think the term ultra linear is marketing in nature and I dare say most people have no clue what they’re buying when they do. I remember loudness controls on a receiver I had a while back and was curious at times and clearly pushed more power through the circuits. It’s all about compromise which can be understood without getting terribly technical and my decision was to do biamping of a solid state and tube amplifier. At least the harmonics are more favorably affected and I do really like isolation of tubes in the upper area and let solid state handle the heavy duty stuff below. It seems to be working pretty well so far.

But again it would be kind of nice to see a diagram of all this to better understand the differences between modes of operation which on this amplifier tend to be switchable so easily which always raises skepticism in my tiny mind. But ultra linear does drift more toward solid state and isn’t that what we’re really saying overall after all

@immatthewj

A technical reference to triode in marketing literature makes sense, it’s not sexy. Ultra linear Whatever it is that it does is a sexy marketing term. If it’s switchable that’s probably discouraging a lot of people from taking it seriously especially in an amplifier.

The manufacturers don’t really provide much info on what’s being done. A nice schematic would be nice because it does get involved.

Audio manufacturers do an abysmal job explaining what their products do. It’s a mystery box and you really have to dig in to figure it out.

There are clearly harmonic changes with tube amplifiers that are especially appealing unless you enjoy clinical accurate Music which is less than enjoyable a lot of times.  It's all about the quality the recording after all and there's only so much you can do to improve it and that really really sucks that they didn't get it right to begin with we have to spend a lot of money to enhance and bring out the best of what it has to offer

Ultra linear is a sexy term used by the manufacturer. Cary has not done a very good job to explain it on their website.

I think they’re taking advantage of the technology to promote something that is questionable as to sonic credibility. It’s not a very popular feature. I have never seen it before. Most people who buy this have no clue what it actually does only that it sounds different. It’s a rabbit hole and it’s clear when you read through this thread how confusing it is. Again a nice diagram would be nice.

Genius is the ability to explain involved complex things in a manner that can be understood.

@immatthewj 

Yes the link was very helpful. It's good that I am very intelligent and can understand these things. Thank you

@mulveling 

A wonderful diagram. Very helpful. The accompanying commentary is helpful although back-and-forth discussion to further clarify what's going on is always good.

It's an awareness exercise of all that goes on under the hood.