Is solid-state dead?

Re: Is solid-state dead?

I think this is a silly question -but an old thread. SS will never be dead. 99.9999% of the world is SS (except Audio amps and certain VHF/UHF transmitters and 3rd world countries that are moving from tube)-Consider that way more than most of your "Tube amps" are also solid state -at least at the rectifier stage.

While -I only own a few SS amps (Roland, Gallien Kreuger, 60s Standel, Peavey etc) -they are great for what they do and have a viable application for certain guitar tones and recording applications.

Another thing to remember -all aesthetic properties once understood, can eventually be achieved with quantisization/digitization -given enough time, sampling research, resolution, and CPU horsepower. -So SS and SS Digital only gets better and better in the future.

So while I'm a "Tube" guy -the future isn't very bright long term for tubes.

Let's enjoy it now -while it lasts!
 
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Re: Is solid-state dead?

NegativeEase said:
So while I'm a "Tube" guy -the future isn't very bright long term for tubes.
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I don't know about that part. Why be on the computer hardware/software treadmill to get a tube sound when the right sounding tube amp will last for 30+ years? I think that, and the visceral shade tree mechanic aspect of working on tubes will keep them alive a long time.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

rbc said:
I don't know about that part. Why be on the computer hardware/software treadmill to get a tube sound when the right sounding tube amp will last for 30+ years? I think that, and the visceral shade tree mechanic aspect of working on tubes will keep them alive a long time.
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It's not about that, Tubes will always be in demand as long as tube amps are working -and there will be a Vintage market for perhaps a hundred or 2 hundred more years,

I'm am referring to the LONG TERM future of production of NEW Tube Amps and New Tubes -the market for tube production and Amps will eventually decline as other solid state and digital alternatives become stronger and even as musical tastes change.

Technology will absolutely dictate this -it's not a choice or an option eventually. Tubes will not be the best option Forever.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

NegativeEase said:
It's not about that, Tubes will always be in demand as long as tube amps are working -and there will be a Vintage market for perhaps a hundred or 2 hundred more years,

I'm am referring to the LONG TERM future of production of NEW Tube Amps and New Tubes -the market for tube production and Amps will eventually decline as other solid state and digital alternatives become stronger and even as musical tastes change.

Technology will absolutely dictate this -it's not a choice or an option eventually. Tubes will not be the best option Forever.
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I'm kind of hoping sombody will invent a replacement tech for tubes - something that can be placed ina tube amp and produce similar results, so we don't actually have to shelf all our babies.

Provided humanity sticks around long enough to actually outlive the tubes, that is :P
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Coma said:
I'm kind of hoping sombody will invent a replacement tech for tubes - something that can be placed ina tube amp and produce similar results, so we don't actually have to shelf all our babies.

Provided humanity sticks around long enough to actually outlive the tubes, that is :P
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Have you ever looked at Retrovalves? I have played around with them they are pretty cool.

http://www.robertsaudiotech.com/designs/retrovalve.php

 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

NegativeEase said:
I think this is a silly question -but an old thread. SS will never be dead. 99.9999% of the world is SS (except Audio amps and certain VHF/UHF transmitters and 3rd world countries that are moving from tube)-Consider that way more than most of your "Tube amps" are also solid state -at least at the rectifier stage.

While -I only own a few SS amps (Roland, Gallien Kreuger, 60s Standel, Peavey etc) -they are great for what they do and have a viable application for certain guitar tones and recording applications.

Another thing to remember -all aesthetic properties once understood, can eventually be achieved with quantisization/digitization -given enough time, sampling research, resolution, and CPU horsepower. -So SS and SS Digital only gets better and better in the future.

So while I'm a "Tube" guy -the future isn't very bright long term for tubes.

Let's enjoy it now -while it lasts!
Click to expand...

Digital devices can't replace tube amps because they are so simple. When digital devices fail they are often done. Tube amps you can fix up from here to eternity. And I don't see any signs of basic components going out of production considering how DIY market has expanded and keeps on growing.

I mean it doesn't matter if big names would just stop building tube amps. There will always be some people building them, and some who will pay for "real thing". And in modern day when you can find everything online the hobbyists keep the industry for building and distributing parts going.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Jacew said:
Digital devices can't replace tube amps because they are so simple. When digital devices fail they are often done. Tube amps you can fix up from here to eternity. And I don't see any signs of basic components going out of production considering how DIY market has expanded and keeps on growing.

I mean it doesn't matter if big names would just stop building tube amps. There will always be some people building them, and some who will pay for "real thing". And in modern day when you can find everything online the hobbyists keep the industry for building and distributing parts going.
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Except that those tubes are only being made in a small number of places, and that's only sustainable because larger companies can buy in bulk. The moment production ceases to be profitable, those plants will stop making the tubes. The demand of a few enthusiasts would need to be high enough to warrant manufacturing of new tubes otherwise.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

I’m not really interested in solid-state amps right now. Except maybe a Peavey Bandit. I’d like something I can beat on with a sledgehammer and will keep working for ten or twenty more years.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Coma said:
Except that those tubes are only being made in a small number of places, and that's only sustainable because larger companies can buy in bulk. The moment production ceases to be profitable, those plants will stop making the tubes. The demand of a few enthusiasts would need to be high enough to warrant manufacturing of new tubes otherwise.
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Plant stop making tube when Mother Russia say stop making tube.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

I like tubes because they’re tubes. They get hot and they glow and they make music come through them. It’s sexy. It’s getting away with something. Like moonshine. Or NASCAR.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Sirion said:
I remember seing these. Has anybody tried them? As a set-and-forget type of person I would be very happy if these could work as a genuine replacement for tubes.
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Yep, I have one I have popped in, and out of different amps, they sound and work as advertised, kind of. The only thing I got a bit frustrated with is they do not work in a standalone pre-amp situation. I tried using it in my Chandler Tube Driver unsuccessfully; it was the main reason I bought it. It also failed to work in my Orange Micro Terror; the pre-amp works somewhat as a stomp running into a SS power amp. In my Fender Excelsior and Fender Quad, it worked as advertised. I guess it has something to do with how the tubes are powered up, I would have to check but I think both the Chandler and Orange are 9-volt devices.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

What a pity. Hopefully somebody will keep working on them so that they may be used everywhere. How did it sound in the amps it DID work in?
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

I was going to mention the Retrovalves, but see someone already did. I bought some a few years back, but have yet to try them in anything. BTW, I believe I bought a bunch of yellow ones as I was going for middle of the road for my maiden voyage. Will plug em in to my PV Classic 30 one of these days. Afraid to plug em into my Splawn even tho they claim to be perfectly safe.
 
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Re: Is solid-state dead?

Sirion said:
What a pity. Hopefully somebody will keep working on them so that they may be used everywhere. How did it sound in the amps it DID work in?
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Absolutely fine, just a bit hotter I got the high gain tube. I was hoping to push my Chandler Tube Driver a bit more. It sounded great in the Excelsior, break up happened a bit earlier and was somewhat tighter. I am thinking about putting it back in the Quad which is my basement noodling around amp. Bottomline is it sounds like a tube.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Securb said:
Yep, I have one I have popped in, and out of different amps, they sound and work as advertised, kind of. The only thing I got a bit frustrated with is they do not work in a standalone pre-amp situation. I tried using it in my Chandler Tube Driver unsuccessfully; it was the main reason I bought it. It also failed to work in my Orange Micro Terror; the pre-amp works somewhat as a stomp running into a SS power amp. In my Fender Excelsior and Fender Quad, it worked as advertised. I guess it has something to do with how the tubes are powered up, I would have to check but I think both the Chandler and Orange are 9-volt devices.
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The Chandler runs the tube in starved mode, so makes sense that the retrovalves don't work, appparently the Micro Terror does too. They might as well use FETs, but then they couldn't say "tube".

They will work fine in preamps/pedals that have proper voltage on the B+ (250V +), meaning they are actually using the tubes for amplification. I've tried them in AMT tube preamps and they work fine, it's been a while, but IIRC, they didn't sustain as well as real tubes, but it has been a while.

FWIW, they wouldn't work in the Radial "tube" pedals either, same thing, running the tubes starved.
 
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Re: Is solid-state dead?

Securb said:
Absolutely fine, just a bit hotter I got the high gain tube. I was hoping to push my Chandler Tube Driver a bit more. It sounded great in the Excelsior, break up happened a bit earlier and was somewhat tighter. I am thinking about putting it back in the Quad which is my basement noodling around amp. Bottomline is it sounds like a tube.
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Cool! I should try to get hold of some, then, as it is one thing less to go wrong.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

devastone said:
I have a new red one laying around somewhere, but shipping is probably too expensive to get it to you. Check out the AMT Warmstone - https://amtelectronics.com/new/amt-12ax7ws/
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I remember a year or so ago some site was blowing out the RetroValves out for next to nothing and a bunch of us on here bought them. I never heard any complaints about them. Looking at the AMT Warmstone it seems the circuit has to be at least 30v for the tube to work which seems to have been my problem with the RetroValves
 
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