Yngwiestein
New member
If the bias is off on an amp can you hear it? What is characteristic of an amp that needs to be biased?
Can You Hear When An Amp Needs Biasing?
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brit84
New member
Re: Can You Hear When An Amp Needs Biasing?
can you hear it, id say yes but only off alot. the problem is if the bias has drifted over time your ear gets used to it and you may not notice ntil you check it and hear how much better it sounds.
i think a low biased amp will sound less full, quieter, not as dynamic. but ive not puposly underbiased my amps to see what they sound like cold
can you hear it, id say yes but only off alot. the problem is if the bias has drifted over time your ear gets used to it and you may not notice ntil you check it and hear how much better it sounds.
i think a low biased amp will sound less full, quieter, not as dynamic. but ive not puposly underbiased my amps to see what they sound like cold
Yngwiestein
New member
Re: Can You Hear When An Amp Needs Biasing?
A Matchless Chieftain came into my shop and this is the 4th one I had. For some strange reason it sounds off. I can just tell something is not right. It's brighter & harsher than the others and the notes don't bloom as much. Chieftains always had squashy lows but this one seems less defined. You can't hear all the notes in a chord.
I don't bias amps but I'm willing to learn. It's probably time to call Matchless and get their take on the situation.
A Matchless Chieftain came into my shop and this is the 4th one I had. For some strange reason it sounds off. I can just tell something is not right. It's brighter & harsher than the others and the notes don't bloom as much. Chieftains always had squashy lows but this one seems less defined. You can't hear all the notes in a chord.
I don't bias amps but I'm willing to learn. It's probably time to call Matchless and get their take on the situation.
wanmei1
New member
Re: Can You Hear When An Amp Needs Biasing?
Generally speaking no.
Not unless the bias is way, way off.
Mostly were talking about supplyig the tubes with enough current to keep the valve operating within it's efficency window.
The amp should not be biased to hot nor too cold. So it's a compromise between achieving an amps rated output and not buring out the tubes prematurely due to excessive current biasing.
For more crunch from your amp you can over bias slightly.
For a cleaner sweeter sound you can under bias slightly.
If the bias is way off then you may have an edgy sound ( distorted ) to the amp when played clean, or excessive noise that is not cured by tube replacement.
Generally speaking no.
Not unless the bias is way, way off.
Mostly were talking about supplyig the tubes with enough current to keep the valve operating within it's efficency window.
The amp should not be biased to hot nor too cold. So it's a compromise between achieving an amps rated output and not buring out the tubes prematurely due to excessive current biasing.
For more crunch from your amp you can over bias slightly.
For a cleaner sweeter sound you can under bias slightly.
If the bias is way off then you may have an edgy sound ( distorted ) to the amp when played clean, or excessive noise that is not cured by tube replacement.
Yngwiestein
New member
Re: Can You Hear When An Amp Needs Biasing?
It's funny you say that because I was playing it last night and there was a loud pop. This has happened before with bad power tubes.
It's funny you say that because I was playing it last night and there was a loud pop. This has happened before with bad power tubes.