Do you consider VTAST70 "tubey"

Tubey is a generic term but I am not sure how else to describe it... would you consider a VTA ST70 as "tubey" sounding?

I have no reference really. My first taste of tubes are via a VTA ST70 (w/Klipsch Cornwalls) and Fisher X100B (w Dynaco A25). I cant decide which I like better, both are completely different that's for sure.

The VTA is more powerful sounding able to fill a large room with great bass, excellent mids and highs. The Fisher setup is not as dynamic sounding as the VTA but its warmer perhaps used in a small room... I assume closer to what people refer to as a tube sound. If I didn't own either amp and I heard them blindly, I would say with certainty the fisher was a tube amp and I wouldn't be able to tell what the VTA ST70 was but whatever it is sounds super!

Then I read stuff about modern tube amps that are supposed to sound more like transistor amps? huh?

Im confused.

Are you sure what you are hearing is attributed to the amps or is it perhaps the speakers? I would say in order to effectively determine what you are asking, you'd need to listen both amps with the same speakers.

I don't think the VTA designs sound "tubey". I think the sound you're referring to could be related to the amount of feedback applied to the circuit or in older amps the high tolerance parts they used back then.

I don't hear "tubes", I hear "music".  

Within the class of tube amplification, there are more or less "modern" sounding tube amps, i.e. cleaner, more natural sounding and with better extension at the frequency extremes (as noted from your listening).  -All of course being subject to system and room characteristics.

There are lots of variants out there, including SS/Tube hybrids.  IMHO, -if a tube amp sounds like solid state, the baby has departed with the bathwater.

For me, VTA amps take advantage of advances in technology resulting in overall improvements in sound production, and as a result, they fall toward the 'modern' end of the tube spectrum, which suits my preferences.  Some people prefer the "vintage" sound, like your Fisher or the original ST70.  

You'll have your own opinions about what sounds most like music to you.  

Happy listening!

K.

Dingojazz wrote:I don't hear "tubes", I hear "music".  

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For me, VTA amps take advantage of advances in technology resulting in overall improvements in sound production...
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K.

Specifically what advances in technology are you referring to in VTA amps?

slate1 wrote:Are you sure what you are hearing is attributed to the amps or is it perhaps the speakers?  I would say in order to effectively determine what you are asking, you'd need to listen both amps with the same speakers.

Absolutely.

Some speakers act as pure resistive loads at a single point. Some do not. Maggies are the former, typical cone-type speakers are the latter. The former is not affected by amplifier damping, the latter may be significantly affected.

So, an amp with a high damping factor will very likely sound different than one with a low damping factor in some speakers, but not in others.

tube amplifiers of the 40s-70s era would be considered "tubey" sounding.
Modern tube amplifiers, including any amplifier with VTA drivers, should not be "tubey" sounding (meaning, in general, flabby bass, rolled off low's and highs, warm midrange)
but have a clean, clear, flat frequency response, and the main characteristic different from a transistor amp is in general more 3D, wider and deeper soundstage, holographic.
Another characteristic of push-pull type tube amplifiers is that they have less even order harmonic distortion than a transistor amp, and have more odd order harmonics,
which for most listeners seems to enrich the sound (harmonic enhancement). Also tube amps do not hard clip, in fact clipping is usually very difficult to hear in a tube amp,
whereas in a transistor amp it is immediately apparent and extremely obvious.