SteveR750 said:
A question to Cno maybe, and other valve fans. Am intrigued if the sonic differences are the same footprint as guitar amps? There is a world of difference between the two in that application, but sonic since sonic fidelity is not necessarily what you want for guitar. IME of the latter, class A is smooth, and AB has a a sharpoer agressive edge to it; but ultimately is about a harmonic distortion component. I can see that there is a sonic warmth, and almost organic creamy sound that a transistor amp rarely achieves. Is this the same signature for a hi fi amp also?
Oh, the pressure!
It is really something that one has to hear for oneself, and I have no idea what a Valve guitar amp sounds like.
The mistake people make is assuming that all valve amps sound "warm and gooey".......it couldn't be further from the truth. With the right speakers, they are full of life, are lively and dynamic, with great transient response.
The area they can fall down compared to a well sorted SS amp is on bass, which can, more often than not, be as tight and hard hitting....so if you listen to a lot of bass driven music, it may not be the right amp.
If you like a forward analytical sound, then it would also be the wrong choice......though VTL make the most dynamic sound I've heard from a valve amp.
If you listen to classical, jazz, simple male/female voice and acoustic stuff, then there is little better. If you are following Acalex's journey, there is lots of insight being discussed......in fact I'd be surprised if he doesn't chip in.