The Music Thread

[O Really]

Here are some turntables that cost more than $100K
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfIUh0S7yTQ
I've been sort of an audiophile since the early 70's and now use an all vacuum tube system; even my CD player has two 12AX7 tubes for the output stage. It sells for a thousand and the two tubes that I got to replace the original Chinese tubes cost me $230 for the pair. Amplifier has 8 tubes that I have about a thousand bucks in just the tubes; some from 1957. And the phono stage that my turntable runs on also has two tubes. It would cost me about ten grand to replace the entire setup. Some people go way overboard with this stuff, though. Witness the six figure turntables in the link....even some phono cartridges (needle) made by Koetsu or Lyra can cost ten grand.

What are the advantages of the tubes?

[neoplacebo]

Here are some turntables that cost more than $100K
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfIUh0S7yTQ
I've been sort of an audiophile since the early 70's and now use an all vacuum tube system; even my CD player has two 12AX7 tubes for the output stage. It sells for a thousand and the two tubes that I got to replace the original Chinese tubes cost me $230 for the pair. Amplifier has 8 tubes that I have about a thousand bucks in just the tubes; some from 1957. And the phono stage that my turntable runs on also has two tubes. It would cost me about ten grand to replace the entire setup. Some people go way overboard with this stuff, though. Witness the six figure turntables in the link....even some phono cartridges (needle) made by Koetsu or Lyra can cost ten grand.

What are the advantages of the tubes?

It's the general consensus that tubes sound better than transistors. Not being an electrical engineer, I can't tell you specifically but the fact that tubes operate at higher voltages and have a more linear response in their operation rather than an off/on condition of a transistor has a lot to do with it. You'd be surprised at the number of equipment manufacturers that have gone back to vacuum tubes over solid state in the past twenty years or so. And the fact that the only tubes being made these days are from Russia or China has resulted in the old vintage European and American tubes to skyrocket in price. There are a total of twelve tubes in my stereo; four of them are power output tubes made by Amperex of Holland in the late 50's or early 60's and six more were made in West Germany by Telefunken in the 60's and two were made in Czechoslovakia in the early 70;s. I have a little over a thousand bucks in those twelve tubes and I've been using them where they are now since 2012. The things will last damn near forever if not abused or become gassy (lose vacuum). There just aren't as many people that will sit and listen to recorded music now as there were a few decades ago. Hell, these days the best sound most people ever hear is from the unit in their car. I've even got a t shirt that says "revolt against the solid state" on it with a drawing of tubes being launched as rockets.

[O Really]

Thanks, although I'll admit the explanation sounded to me a lot like the sound of adults in the "Peanuts" programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2hULhXf04

But isn't the quality of the sound you hear as much dependent on the speakers as the electronics behind it? So you're saying that using a given set of headsets/speakers, of high quality, that the tube equipment kicks out better sound than solid state, right? Wider range? More clarity? Less extraneous sound? You can probably tell the difference, but would a non-expert be able to? Do you use a sound room or some place to bring out the quality?

[neoplacebo]

Thanks, although I'll admit the explanation sounded to me a lot like the sound of adults in the "Peanuts" programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss2hULhXf04

But isn't the quality of the sound you hear as much dependent on the speakers as the electronics behind it? So you're saying that using a given set of headsets/speakers, of high quality, that the tube equipment kicks out better sound than solid state, right? Wider range? More clarity? Less extraneous sound? You can probably tell the difference, but would a non-expert be able to? Do you use a sound room or some place to out the quality?

Absolutely; speakers as well as all the associated equipment must be of the highest quality. Here's a review from what's considered the authority in sound reproduction of a speaker I was involved with making; it's one of the reasons I moved back to TN

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articl ... udspeaker/
And you're correct in that the room you have your system in is quite a big part of getting the best sound. I have some cosmetically acceptable egg crate type foam panels on the walls behind and to the side of my speakers to eliminate reflections. Even the interconnect cables between your amp and speakers and other devices can make a big difference. Nordost makes cables that cost over ten grand for a one meter set of them. There are some people who would spend crazy money on stuff like this; I'd be one of them if I could.
Edit; I realized I did not address your query regarding how tubes are better; in general, tubes provide a more "lush" and sort of "punchy" sound. It's hard to explain but just about anyone can tell the difference if exposed to a solid state system versus a vacuum tube system. There's more punch at the bottom end in bass frequencies and a more sparkling type effect in the high notes but the biggest difference is in the midrange where human voice resides. Just no comparison between tube and solid state in those areas.

[Vrede too]

... But isn't the quality of the sound you hear as much dependent on the speakers as the electronics behind it? So you're saying that using a given set of headsets/speakers, of high quality, that the tube equipment kicks out better sound than solid state, right? Wider range? More clarity? Less extraneous sound? You can probably tell the difference, but would a non-expert be able to? Do you use a sound room or some place to bring out the quality?

I've been there. It may sound crazy, but when the stereo is on it even enhances the tone of neoplacebo's yelling and shrieking at Marsha Blackburn, other Repugs and other idiots - a more "lush" and sort of "punchy" sound. It's hard to explain.

[neoplacebo]

... But isn't the quality of the sound you hear as much dependent on the speakers as the electronics behind it? So you're saying that using a given set of headsets/speakers, of high quality, that the tube equipment kicks out better sound than solid state, right? Wider range? More clarity? Less extraneous sound? You can probably tell the difference, but would a non-expert be able to? Do you use a sound room or some place to bring out the quality?

I've been there. It may sound crazy, but when the stereo is on it even enhances the tone of neoplacebo's yelling and shrieking at Marsha Blackburn, other Repugs and other idiots - a more "lush" and sort of "punchy" sound. It's hard to explain.

Now you know that Marsha is the last thing on my mind when listening to music. Speaking of her, I've yet to hear a peep. She and her staff are probably trying to figure out the answer to my multiple queries about "what the fuck is wrong with you?" I doubt they will come up with an acceptable answer anytime soon. They're still arguing about it.

[neoplacebo]

I had to look up Blackburn. I'd heard the name but knew little about her.

I got as far as her bachelor's degree in "Home Economics" to realize she'd be a bit of a concern.

Hell, she's more than a bit of a concern; if Lamar Alexander was a crack in the sidewalk, Marsha Blackburn is the Grand Canyon of cracks.

[billy.pilgrim]

I had to look up Blackburn. I'd heard the name but knew little about her.

I got as far as her bachelor's degree in "Home Economics" to realize she'd be a bit of a concern.

Hell, she's more than a bit of a concern; if Lamar Alexander was a crack in the sidewalk, Marsha Blackburn is the Grand Canyon of cracks.

Tennessee do grow them some kinda crazies

[Vrede too]

Tennessee do grow them some kinda crazies

Present company included .


My first thought last night was, 'Seriously, a 39 year-old song?!' Then, I ended up deciding it was a pretty awesome production:


David Byrne: Once in a Lifetime (Live) - SNL

Not as special IMO, but still fun:


David Byrne: Toe Jam (Live) - SNL

His voice has not lost much at 67 years-old.

[neoplacebo]

"Time isn't holding up. Time isn't after us. Same as it ever was."
Ah, a timeless song; once in a lifetime can also be every day.

[O Really]

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith has other artistic talents.
http://chadsmithart.com/

[Vrede too]

Okay, boomer.

[neoplacebo]

I have a lot of Talking Heads music. David isn't the best singer but lots of the old stuff sounds good to me....."Burnin' Down the House" "Psycho Killer" "Life During Wartime" "Wild Life" good stuff. It's the kind of thing Ronald Reagan would, and did, hate.

[GoCubsGo]

Never got to see The Talking Heads live, but Stop Making Sense is probably the best rockumentory I've ever seen.






https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088178/

[neoplacebo]

Yeah, and the big suit was pretty cool, too.

[Vrede too]

Never got to see The Talking Heads live, but Stop Making Sense is probably the best rockumentory I've ever seen.
[youtube][/youtube]



[youtube][/youtube]



[youtube][/youtube]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088178/

Pretty cool when people are dancing at their seats and in the aisles . . . at a movie theater!

Psycho Killer won't play. Here:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTezUIuJHTw


David Byrne Thinks Jared Kushner Is Musical Material

[GoCubsGo]

Huh. Didn't know that.

[neoplacebo]

Today marks 50 years since "Deja Vu" was released by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Good story here.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/d-j ... 39967.html

[Vrede too]

Today marks 50 years since "Deja Vu" was released by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Good story here.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/d-j ... 39967.html

That is an interesting article, thanks.

[O Really]

Found while taking random selection - lucky day.
Janis in concert. Put on the earbuds. Turn it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbaPdcpfmRU

If you're impatient "Piece of My Heart" starts about 12:45.

Damn, I should buy a lotto ticket today -
"White Rabbit" live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdoLcgxvf98