2. amps-preamps
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A Black Box to Solve Everything

Tubes vs. solid state?? There's a thread out right now about this exact question (there always is), but I didn't want to take it off subject. So my question is; is there a device that could go between the preamp and amp that has variable harmonic distortion capabilities? I know there are tube buffers, but they are not really addressing the point because they use line level signals and don't have the distortion of a good 300B tube being pushed beyond its limits. My thinking is that of a black box with switches and knobs to adjust harmonic distortion to mimic different tube types. It would also have to have a bypass switch so we could readily and quickly A/B the thing. Any ideas?

koestner
koestner OP
626 posts
 

I was thinking strictly for hi-fi.

mglouis's avatar
mglouis
4 posts
 

I am not aware of any commercial products intended for HiFi but I know of a guitar effects pedal, Mercury IV (harmonic boost), by Spaceman Effects that has a dial for generating even order harmonics. I imagine two could be used in dual-mono, which would meet the OPs requirements. They are on reverb for around $300. Something like the Switchcraft SC600 Dual Adapter Box would enable you to convert to 1/4" TS/TRS to RCA and back.  I own this pedal and love it for guitar.  The pedal can color or be transparent depending on the settings and gear on either end of it.

dynamiclinearity
238 posts
 

It isn't as simple as adding higher tube distortion. The Carver concept of transfer function actually works though, to  signmake a solid state amp sound like a matching tube amp, which is exactlly matching the electrical output of two amps. But I suspect the reverse won't work, matching a tube amp to a solid state one. Carver did the comparison matching one of his amps to I believe a Conrad Johnson. The listening panel agreed(after 2 tries I think). And I personally spoke to Gordon Holt and he confirmed that Carver suceeded. 

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,572 posts
 

Don't use this one,

All the best,
Nonoise

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,454 posts
 

About a year ago I watched a video (on YouTube iirc) in which Nelson Pass spoke about an amp he was working on, one that was intentionally designed to add harmonic distortion to the input signal. He also explained the rationale for doing so. I could be mistaken, but I think it may have been in an interview with Steve Guttenberg, recorded in Nelson's listening room.

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