A valve amplifier is an audio amplifier that uses vacuum tubes to increase the strength of an electrical audio signal so it can drive speakers or headphones. Unlike solid-state amplifiers, which u...
Tube Rolling: What It Is and When to Do It
Tube rolling is the practice of replacing the vacuum tubes in a valve amplifier to change its tonal character, performance and overall sound signature. Because valves shape gain, dynamics, harmoni...
Why Valve Amplifiers Pair Well with High-Sensitivity Speakers
Valve amplifiers pair well with high-sensitivity speakers because tube amplification delivers lower wattage, higher output impedance and softer clipping behaviour that aligns closely with the elec...
Valve vs Solid-State: Differences in Tone, Feel and Maintenance
The difference between valve and solid-state amplifiers lies in how they amplify audio signals—valve amplifiers use vacuum tubes, while solid-state amplifiers use transistors—and this fundamental ...