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RE: 12BH7 vs 6SN7GTB

" explain why a 2a3 tube sounds different than a 300b or 6sn7 or 845"

they sound different because their transfer functions are different.

Take the plate curves for each and pick an operation point for each and draw a load line for each. When an input signal is applied to the grid, the plate current and voltage will rise and fall following the input signal and along that load line. Harmonic distortion is formed when the change to the left of the idle point (along the load line) isn't the same (and does not change in a linear way as it goes) as the change to the right of the idle point.

Each of the tubes you mentioned will have a different set of orders and levels of harmonic distortion created by each tube's own set of non-linearities and that will be heard as the differences you mentioned.

"why would you be on a tube diy if numbers and graphs are your thing"

Because tubes (triodes in particular) are the most linear (distortion free) devices known.

Building with anything else requires feedback and feedback (while lowering the levels of distortion) adds upper orders that would not otherwise be there.

Low ordered HD is not perceived by the human ear as distortion. Upper ordered HD is. You can have several % of 2nd HD and it doesn't sound distorted but a tiny fraction of 7th and it's game over.

2nd HD is just one octave up in frequency, it fits musically. It is consonant. 7th is like having a really good band and everything sounds great and fits together really good and then the lead guitar player starts playing notes in the wrong key, notes that have nothing what so ever to do with the song the rest of the band is playing. It is dissonant.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

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