Sound Quality

Forum response — Re: Do they even make good amps anymore?

by

We currently offer two models of mobile tube amp — the more expensive BaM235, and the less expensive Liquid. Both are class A input and driver stages, with push-pull, class AB1 output stage. — Milbert, the Most Musical Amplifiers “Continuing engineering” generally seems to try to get more (or at least the same) for less, … Read more

Advantages of Tantalum Capacitors

by

A tantalum capacitor is made of a tantalum powder core surrounded by tantalum pentoxide shell that is coated with with manganese dioxide, graphite, silver coating, solder resin. A tantalum wire extends axially into the core. Since 1960, tantalum caps have been shrinking due to higher-charge tantalum powders. Advantages: 1. SMALLER – tantalum caps have a … Read more

Insight into why the musical magic of Muscle Shoals / FAME, stellar at first, then “faded”

by

Spot-on, I think, Comment from the video — “It’s funny that it starts out mentioning that the engineer knew and made (or at least serviced) all the equipment, and the sound quality was great. But then, technology moved in, and the engineer became disconnected, and there hasn’t been “that sound” or any true hit ever … Read more

Regarding why semiconductors inherently sound unpleasant when used at audio frequencies

by

Here are some possible reasons.  There are differing theories, thoughts; apparently, some people honestly can not hear the difference.  But, some can. The purpose and goal of semiconductors was always primarily cheapness (to make and operate) and also high-frequency operation — sound quality was never a goal or purpose. If but at a microscopic level, … Read more

GAGA and the Wet Dry Wet Rig, by Dave Garfinkle

by

Abstract Recently I wanted to join the ranks of those who play their effects signal separately from their main signal, the benefits include a better control of the volume of the two signals as well as a huge sound stage…   Content GAGA is an excellent front end for a Wet Dry Wet rig. Here … Read more

On the Fallacy of “Limited Bandwidth” in Guitar Amplification

by

Content Malcolm Moore explains why limitations are not preferable “For a guitar, the audio spectrum needs are wide. …The lower open E string has a fundamental of about 128 Hz, and significant harmonics are the second, fourth, sixth and eighth meaning the spectrum here extends to 1024 Hz. On the twelfth fret on the upper … Read more

Evolution of Music by Public Choice

by

Music evolves as composers, performers, and consumers favor some musical variants over others. To investigate the role of consumer selection, we constructed a Darwinian music engine consisting of a population of short audio loops that sexually reproduce and mutate. This population evolved for 2,513 generations under the selective influence of 6,931 consumers who rated the … Read more

Automotive Audio: Tubed Tunes on the Go — Robb Report Collection

by

“If musical accuracy is what you are seeking, the Milbert is most certainly the Holy Grail of auto sound.”   Content Jeff Dorgay 06 / 01 / 2005 Milbert BaM-235 Car Amplifier Many of today’s mobile audio magazines feature rock stars and athletes who have invested the equivalent of a sizable down payment for a … Read more

Pitch perception beyond the traditional existence region of pitch

by

“…the perception of musical pitch at high frequencies is not constrained by temporal phase locking in the auditory nerve but may instead stem from higher-level constraints shaped by prior exposure to harmonic sounds.” Humans’ ability to recognize musical melodies is generally limited to pure-tone frequencies below 4 or 5 kHz. This limit coincides with the … Read more