Opinions on Valves

Valves versus transistors

We have two audio amplifier design articles in this issue: one with valves and the other with transistors. They are just as different as people’s opinions on the issue of valves versus transistors.

Does it make sense to go back to the amplifier technology of our grandparents? Is there really such a thing as the ‘legendary valve sound’? Or is this only a question of our emotions refusing to bow to physical measurements?

We attempt to resolve this issue by viewing it from three different perspectives. One belongs to a designer in our own Elektor Electronics lab, a second one belongs to the world of professional studio engineering, and a third one combines the physical and musical aspects.