...I cant find anything digital which will give me that same breakup when that tube rectifier reaches the "sag" point.
There are places for both types of equipment, but don't discount the analog tube stuff as I have found it to be the choice of not only the people from my generation, but those who are just now emerging.
You know which side I'm on here, but I gotta correct you on this. Some of the nicer sim applications do have provisions for tweaking sag. Is it as good as the real thing? Hell no, but they try.You can't get that with simulations, which tend to be more "mathematical" in how they provide tone/feel.
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You know which side I'm on here, but I gotta correct you on this. Some of the nicer sim applications do have provisions for tweaking sag. Is it as good as the real thing? Hell no, but they try.
Oh yeah, I know they do, and I didn't mean to suggest they ain't trying.......but as I said, it's done as a "mathematical" process, and real tube rectifiers just don't work that way. There's a more "organic" nature to real tubes, a certain amount of randomness, unlike the homogenized math.
Last weekend I spent most of a day messing with one amp (that's when I got zapped a couple of times, like I mentioned in the Guitar Forum)...and I was trying out different tubes, to include different rectifiers and solid-state subs.
The amp can take 5Y3, 5U4GB, 5AR4/GZ34 rectifiers...and with all the pre/power tubes constant, it was amazing how much effect the rectifiers had on the amp's tone/headroom/feel.
For the amp in question (a modified 5E3 circuit that has more power and bigger trannys), I went with the 5U4GB. The 5Y3 proved to be mushy, though at some volume/tone settings, and lower gain input, it was sweet. The GZ34 kicked it up a lot, and opened the headroom quite a bit, and I can see sometimes using that...but for now it's the 5U4GB.
On some other amps where I can sub the rectifier....I'm using 5Y3 or the 5AR4/GZ34....it's a a matter of just trying a bunch of tubes and finding the combination you like most.
The ID series can do this because it models COMPONENTS not amps.
In any case, many folks say a solid state rect and a series R is hard to tell from a thermionic rectifier.
But I have to agree with the sentiment that whatever works for YOU in any particular situation is "right".
Not sure what you are referring to..."ID series"...?
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How does the rectifier affect the sound of an amp?
and
What is "sag"
The rectifier is part of the power supply that converts the AC from the wall to what the rest of the circuit needs to operate. Rectifiers specifically change AC to "lumpy" DC which is then smoothed by the filter capacitors. When the power draw of the circuit is strong enough a tube rectifier can fall behind a little and so the voltage (I think) drops below the norm, and that affects the sound of the amp. It has become part of the tube amp sound that many players expect and exploit.
Without feedback, to me, it ain't rock and roll...
The rectifier is part of the power supply that converts the AC from the wall to what the rest of the circuit needs to operate. Rectifiers specifically change AC to "lumpy" DC which is then smoothed by the filter capacitors. When the power draw of the circuit is strong enough a tube rectifier can fall behind a little and so the voltage (I think) drops below the norm, and that affects the sound of the amp. It has become part of the tube amp sound that many players expect and exploit.
Amen, brother.
I'm sure Greg will agree with you as well. xD
Greg agrees. I love a chord or note sustaining into feedback. That's part of why I like tracking next to my big loud amps.
As far as tube vs SS rectifiers in a tube amp, I think I prefer SS. I don't have much experience with testing one against the other, but I do know that I tend to like the bite and attack or SS rectifiers over the "sag" of tube.
Lol. No not really. My style is usually fast and aggressive. I want immediate reaction. Really though I'm not good enough for it to matter either way. I just prefer the sound and feel of SS rectumfryers.Well! You DO surprise me Greg! I would have put you down as one who was all dewey eyed about saggy thermionics!
As a technician I LOVE solid state rects. Hardly ever fail and if they do it is because some penny-pinching bean counter has insisted on a cheap, close rated device.
Dave.
So, if you gaily go bolting in a valve rect in place of sstate....
No...it's the other way around.
I'm swapping/trying an SS replacement where normally it's a tube rectifier.
Weber Copper Cap Rectifiers
There are other brands.....