What the ? Interesting!

This is the first thought that comes up from my mnd. This new interest in all things with vacuum valves are wonderful for the sake of diversity. This is not about whether they are have actual sonic benefit. However, they should not all be display whenever possible. If you look back from the days when they are common place these valves are not located to top sticking out from the box exposing the amazingly hot surface to be accidentally touch. Form should follow function.
 
Wow I bet you would fall asleep listening to them
 
wolfgang said:
If you look back from the days when they are common place these valves are not located to top sticking out from the box exposing the amazingly hot surface to be accidentally touch. Form should follow function.
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Wolfie , cant agree with this. Many vintage amps had the valves sticking out of the top. Sometimes in a safety cage, sometimes not.

As for form and function, having them stick into the air allows for some form of cooling, particularly important with output valves. Having them inside a box makes heat dispersion difficult. Obviously importance of cooling will depend on the application of the valve and how hard its being driven.

chris
 
Since having an exposed surface of greater than 75 degrees C will result in a fail, how do any valve amps with exposed valves get a CE mark?
 
I've seen these before on the net..

I really don't believe the spec's of bass extension to 20hz!! Also the microphonic thing is a good point.

No doubt they sound far better than nearly any computer speaker or even mini-stacker system but for that money.. Obviously just sold on the looks.
 
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Penance - the pics I have seen of the new Ongaku have exposed large output valves (EL34s?... I don't know valves), as do some border patrols.
 
The quad valve power amps (Quad 40?) I had a listen to in sevenoaks the other day (way way too expensive for me, and the salesperson knew it, but the people in sevenoaks are nice :D) had loads of exposed valves, but they didn't have a safety cage on, just a sign saying 'hot valves, don't touch!'

I expect most valve amps are designed so that one can have a safety cage, so the amps get a CE rating, or you can do without so that glowy shiny valve goodness is visible if the owner wants to show it, and also it does look a bit nicer for promotional shots. A quick search revealed the quad I mentioned above can have a safety cage plonked on top but it is removeable should you so choose.
 
I remember reading a review of a German speaker - I believe it was a T + E Criterion (about 2 years ago) which had an internal valve to power the ribbon tweeter.

Apparently it had exceptionally good treble.

Its hard to comment on the quality of this speaker without having heard it. It may be excellent, who really knows?

It does look a little silly, Id have to admit.


Chris
 
I still remember our family black and white TV has lots of valves deep within the back of the box. The manufacturer doesn't make an intentional statement that they are full of orange light bulbs by sticking them out every way.

Having said that, I agree some modern valve amps are beautiful. I suspect many are sold purely because some find them very hypnotic with all these mysterious warm glowing valves lighting up their living room.
 

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