My experience is similar to Charles1dad's, in that my favorites are SET amps, especially 300B SETs. I've heard superb SETS with interstage transformer, and superb SETs with interstage cap.
Tube amplifiers and interstage transformers
Hi,
I have seen that a lot of very expensive tube amplifiers use interstage transformers to handle impedance between stages. There are other two methods to handle impedance between stages: capacitor coupling and RC. I would like to know if somebody with more knowledge can explain the difference in the sound of these 3 styles.
Somehow, it looks like some of the most expensive SET amplifiers have interstage transformers like Audio Note or Shindo.
I also read about the highly regarded amity and karna amplifiers that D Olsen built and they have also interstage transformers.
So, what are the benefits of using interstage transformers?
Thanks
Alan
I have seen that a lot of very expensive tube amplifiers use interstage transformers to handle impedance between stages. There are other two methods to handle impedance between stages: capacitor coupling and RC. I would like to know if somebody with more knowledge can explain the difference in the sound of these 3 styles.
Somehow, it looks like some of the most expensive SET amplifiers have interstage transformers like Audio Note or Shindo.
I also read about the highly regarded amity and karna amplifiers that D Olsen built and they have also interstage transformers.
So, what are the benefits of using interstage transformers?
Thanks
Alan