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Is positive reinforcement why things are sounding better?

So I buy a nice amplifier and later I buy a nice preamplifier and then later I buy Nice speaker cables and each time things seem to improve nicely.

And then I buy telefunken 12ax7 nos tubes for a tube amplifier, and improved tonality, clarity and  a tighter sound is what I get and it's very engaging (tubes are only a few days old). The cymbals seem to come through with more openness.

Things seem to be sounding pretty good and I'm saying to myself is it real or is it just positive reinforcement playing with my head? And the devil is telling me oh let's buy more NOS tubes for the rest of the amplifier. The effects of positive reinforcement can be very expensive. 

Just curious if positive reinforcement experiences have occurred for others, and how can you really tell?

 

emergingsoul

Showing 1 response by pindac

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

I have Tube Rolled on a few occasions, where there has been a Selection of Valve Pairs to be evaluated. 

Tube Rolling is a Two Edge Sword, as change to an end sound, can be noticeably discernable.

The change can stimulate a reaction, but does not necessarily create a betterment in sound for the end user, but a difference only. 

There are Tubes when demo'd as a type from a selection of types. that are capable of making a very good impression.

Most demo's I have been party to, have been carried out as a group in attendance. Within the group, there is not always a unanimous agreement, on what is the better tube. 

With the differences of assessments known, it strongly suggests that recommendation may not be ideal for a end user. 

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