A REAL Tube Amp for your PC

[sosomething]

http://www.neuhauslabs.com/amplifiers/

A 20x2 -watt Digital-to-Analog converter and poweramp!!

Only $795...

[ImmortalSix]

I did just the opposite this week --- I hooked my Blackheart EL84 head to my computer.

I can see how they could sell these to folks who don't, you know, "understand" bit depth.

[sosomething]

Well, I imagine that bit depth means a bit less when it comes out the other end of that thing as a pure analog signal.

[ImmortalSix]

Well, I imagine that bit depth means a bit less when it comes out the other end of that thing as a pure analog signal.

I disagree. That little amp is cool looking at least --- I'd be interested to see how it sounds for sure!

[sosomething]

I disagree. That little amp is cool looking at least --- I'd be interested to see how it sounds for sure!

I imagine it would work more like an effect, adding a tubelike "warmth" to whatever signal you run to it... I certainly don't believe it would remove things like digital artifacts from low bit depth, etc.

Whether or not that would be considered an improvement probably depends on the ears of the behearer.

[ImmortalSix]

I imagine it would work more like an effect, adding a tubelike "warmth" to whatever signal you run to it...

Yeah, I really would be curious to see if it brings "sag" to the dynamics and such. Not like there's any dynamic range in modern recordings anyways

[Rich_T]

I imagine it would work more like an effect, adding a tubelike "warmth" to whatever signal you run to it... I certainly don't believe it would remove things like digital artifacts from low bit depth, etc.

Whether or not that would be considered an improvement probably depends on the ears of the behearer.

Exactly. It's not going to make my MP3 downloads sound like my 180 gram vinyl.

[sosomething]

Exactly. It's not going to make my MP3 downloads sound like my 180 gram vinyl.

NO.

It'll make your MP3 sound like an MP3 played through a tube poweramp.

[super rad stuff]

we've come a long way.... to take old music, put it on a computer, and find a way to make it sound old again....

i mean that in a good way

[Rich_T]

Heh. Some suckers will buy it no doubt.

[super rad stuff]

actually.....

how do ya think something like an instrument interface into the computer, out into the poweramp would sound? even though it'd be a real expensive rig, i bet it'd be kinda cool.

[sosomething]

actually.....

how do ya think something like an instrument interface into the computer, out into the poweramp would sound? even though it'd be a real expensive rig, i bet it'd be kinda cool.

It would sound something like hooking up a POD through the effects loop of a low-wattage tube amp.

It's still an A - D - A conversion. It's not going to sound as good as a pure analog signal from start to finish.

[GoldenVulture]

They make claims that the sound is better because they bypass the sound card[and its inferior quality] via USB.The DAC's[see below] they use are the same as Low End sound cards,so that's a pile o' ....! Pity ,because it seems like a good quality Audio Amp.

• Optical/Toslink/SPDIF Input w/Cirrus Logic 24bit/96kHZ DAC
• USB w/ C-Media 16bit/44kHZ DAC with X2 modulation for hi-frequency quality

[Luís]

For that price, why not buy a cheaper tube amp? I mean, they say tube amp, not good tube amp...

[DankStar]

I'll wait for the modelling version.

[Luís]

I'll wait for the modelling version.

I'll wait for the modelling version of the modeling amp. Pocket pod 2.5 should have it under the name "a copies b, copies a, copies b, copies a..."

[Wonker]

I don't I think of these things to get people's money?

[millsart]

Tube power amps for audio applications just don't make much sense to me. Tubes are cool when it comes to mic pre's and guitar power amps, but for audio reproduction its just inferior technology.

Just as you wouldn't want your speakers to color the sound, you wouldn't want your power amp to do so either.

I want my monitor system to be as flat and neutral as possible so I can get a good idea of what my recording tracks sound like and edit accordingly.

For example, lets say your using a speaker designed to hype up the bass in the mix, well then its going to sound good to your ears but when other people play it on their own systems the lowend is going to be totally weak.

Thats why you want something a flat as possible so you can mix it down to equate nicely to as many other systems as possibe be they pc spseakers, ipods, home stereo systems, club PA systems etc

[ratherdashing]

Tube power amps for audio applications just don't make much sense to me. Tubes are cool when it comes to mic pre's and guitar power amps, but for audio reproduction its just inferior technology.

Just as you wouldn't want your speakers to color the sound, you wouldn't want your power amp to do so either.

I want my monitor system to be as flat and neutral as possible so I can get a good idea of what my recording tracks sound like and edit accordingly.

For example, lets say your using a speaker designed to hype up the bass in the mix, well then its going to sound good to your ears but when other people play it on their own systems the lowend is going to be totally weak.

Thats why you want something a flat as possible so you can mix it down to equate nicely to as many other systems as possibe be they pc spseakers, ipods, home stereo systems, club PA systems etc

I'm gonna disagree with this. The only time you want a perfectly "flat" amp is for studio monitors for the reasons you stated. In all other situations, an amp that adds a bit of "color" is usually a good thing. The reason audiophiles like tube power amps for hi fi applications is that they are very dynamic, fat, and lively compared to solid state amps. Solid state will always be better at pristine clarity, but pristine clarity isn't always desirable.

[guitfiddle]

I bet that thing would sound way better than your garden variety sub/satellite system from Comp Usa or Target.