On Wed, 27 Dec 2006 20:44:02 GMT, "west" wrote:



But... Though kinda nice to know and understand, vacuum tubes are not
necessary! The final holdout (the CRT) is now gasping it's last
breath, and soon the vacuum tube will be truely a part of history! In
my new electronics book, I figure about 1 page of the almost 800 pages
will be vacuum tube oriented (more a history lesson!)

What book is that? Also, You should read the threads on rec.audio.tubes, you
might feel different about tubes. They are a passion among many audiophiles.

Cordially,

Electronics All-in-One Reference for Dummies.

And I do know about the audiophile passion for tubes! Do I ever know.

Years ago, a noted audiophile magazine compared tube and solid state
equipment. Seemed that some could tell when the tube stuff was being
used (every time, too.)

Then the magazine pulled a couple of tricks: they add some tube
distortion to the solid state amplifiers. They added a trace of hum.

At that point none of those who could tell before were able to hear
any difference between tubes and solid state!

However, I do know (and love) tubes, I grew up (and old) with them,
and see their magic... And, in some ways they were easier to
understand than transistors. OTOH, tubes were *hot* (many a burn),
used incredible voltages (many a bang), and not terribly reliable.