Exactly what exactly do preamp tubes actually do compared to power amp tubes?

[Young Angus]

At the moment i am under the impression that preamp tubes create a sound character that is then amplified to extreme volumes by the power amp tubes. But different power amp tubes have different effects on the tone as well.

I really dont know much about how tube amps actually work and what affects what and from where. I have an idea but nothing concrete.

Please teach me

[proxy]

Thats pretty much all you need to know.

Unless you want to get all technical, thats about what you want to kow.

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Exactly what exactly do preamp tubes actually do compared to power amp tubes?

Originally posted by Young Angus
At the moment i am under the impression that preamp tubes create a sound character that is then amplified to extreme volumes by the power amp tubes. But different power amp tubes have different effects on the tone as well.

I really dont know much about how tube amps actually work and what affects what and from where. I have an idea but nothing concrete.

Please teach me

The preamp tubes and all of the components and component values make up the initial overall tonality and personality of your amp....The output section takes this preamped tone and brings it to your speakers....This is a terribly simplified explanation because of the other parts of the amp we're leaving out... We're leaving out other important things like Class A or Class A/B operation of the power tubes,design,plate voltages,bias,how many gain stages in the preamp,how many preamp tubes for the gain stages,etc....And on and on..

The power tubes and power tube type also greatly influence the overall tone you hear of an amp..Most importantly to mention though,is that it's the sum of each and every component within an amp that influences what the amp will sound like...

[lastwinj]

dont forget class b, plus Ab can be either AB1 or Ab2

germ

[STRATDELUXER97]

Originally posted by lastwinj
dont forget class b, plus Ab can be either AB1 or Ab2

germ

Right...Trying to K.I.S.S.

John

[tone4days]

i think it is fair to generalize and say that preamp tubes effect your sound from the moment the signal hits the input jack ... irrespective of volume, the preamp tubes are shaping your tone as part of the overall circuitry ... i think that more often than not, the power tubes arent effect your tone as much (although they obviously are effecting it somewhat) until they are being pushed hard

this is a simplification, but i think it holds
hope it helps
cheers,
t4d