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Apple forces music onto iTunes customers, then releases "U2 removal tool".
- Thread starter mikedt
- Start date
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
This wasn't a tube amp i noticed with the spec sheet saying Vacuum Tubes as part of the feature list. this was a Samsung Soundbar for a TV, and was not cheap--went for at least $799.
In addition, next to it, an UHD Samsung Smart TV with vacuum tubes driving it and a little window that apparently showed them off glowing. reminded me of the console unit i mentioned, you'd turn it on, and probably hear sound for ten minutes before the picture would come to life. not something i'd be fond of going back to myself, even in the name of nostalgia. not to mention how hot, power hungry and failure prone they are.
In addition, next to it, an UHD Samsung Smart TV with vacuum tubes driving it and a little window that apparently showed them off glowing. reminded me of the console unit i mentioned, you'd turn it on, and probably hear sound for ten minutes before the picture would come to life. not something i'd be fond of going back to myself, even in the name of nostalgia. not to mention how hot, power hungry and failure prone they are.
The Samsung valved/tubed TV and soundbar, sure it's just a novelty, and the valve isn't actually driving or controlling anything, and is more for show, like the valved PC motherboards. Not like the serious valve amps, which are usually high quality and very expensive. Likely just a very cheap no-name Chinese 12AX7 or something in the audio path, just to say it's got "toob" sound. But then it's only China and Russia who make valves now anyway AFAIK.
BTW I was one of the last students to actually study valves as part doing the City & Guilds electronics course in 1983. C&G dropped valves from the syllabus the following year. Manufacturers had stopped making valved radios in the 1960s and valved TVs in the early 70s. I can remember how unreliable and hot running valve colour TVs could be, it was like every couple of weeks had to call the engineer out to fix the thing.
BTW I was one of the last students to actually study valves as part doing the City & Guilds electronics course in 1983. C&G dropped valves from the syllabus the following year. Manufacturers had stopped making valved radios in the 1960s and valved TVs in the early 70s. I can remember how unreliable and hot running valve colour TVs could be, it was like every couple of weeks had to call the engineer out to fix the thing.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
I often wonder how hard it is to keep a computer that has a tube in the sound portion of the motherboard cool. that's got to be the worst place for vacuum tubes. I do wonder if it really is for show or not though. $799 is extremely high for something that is there to 'look cool'. the TV went for over $1K
The only way i'd purchase anything that has a tube in it is if it's some type of Nixie clock or calculator.
The only way i'd purchase anything that has a tube in it is if it's some type of Nixie clock or calculator.
If it's the Aopen one...
A diddy little 6922 dual-triode like that doesn't generate much heat, warm to the touch most likely. It's in the audio signal path, there's no real power going though it. I would suspect the heatsinked chips generate more heat. Valves generate most heat when there's lots of them together in a confined space and/or there's high power running through them, like in an old colour TV. Along with huge wire-wound dropper resistors, with a flammable cardboard set-back in close proximity, and many of them did catch fire.
Gmash
Extreme Android User
Sounds like the tubes in the Samsung soundbar are more like a tube pre-amp, in the input section, not the amp section. This reviewer was less than impressed, to say the least. Not to mention the sub is total junk and can't be replaced with a better one.
Samsung HW-F750 Soundbar Review | Audioholics
Samsung HW-F750 Soundbar Review | Audioholics
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
I wouldn't doubt the reviewer would be less than impressed. mostly because vacuum tubes became obsolete in the 1970s. to even see one in a current and state-of-the-art device these days is a harsh throwback that is unnecessary. it'd be like seeing a brand new CRT TV in a Best Buy these days.
dibblebill
Android Expert
Excluding places where they are chosen for the distinctive sound they may give to audio hardware found specifically in the music industry.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
Yea but that is 1) a niche market and 2) not something you'd expect to see at all in a consumer electronics retailer.
I'm sure there's a niche of folks who would prefer the longevity and brighter colors of a CRT and i'm sure companies like Crosley have a device for those people, but again, don't expect to see the comeback of CRT TVs in a consumer electronics store.
I'm sure there's a niche of folks who would prefer the longevity and brighter colors of a CRT and i'm sure companies like Crosley have a device for those people, but again, don't expect to see the comeback of CRT TVs in a consumer electronics store.
dibblebill
Android Expert
Gmash
Extreme Android User
Ugh, we've been offer this before. Many people enjoy the sound of tube amps and pay big money for them. Samsung put a tube in their soundbar to get a little audiophile cred, which is silly because audiophiles don't use soundbars. Not really understanding your constant crankiness over seemingly everything.
zuben el genub
Extreme Android User
I'd rather have analog audio. Darn digital doesn't know how to mix. Have old World Series DVDs. You can hear some crowd, but Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola are both very distinct. Watching Playoffs on Roku via HDMI and sound bar. If Cal Ripken had any audio you could hear, you were lucky. If I watch via AT BAT on the Acer Tablet, everything clear. Could barely hear Tim McCarver at times on the newer DVDs. (Yes, McCarver was chatty, but if there were any comparisions to Bob Gibson as a WS pitcher - McCarver caught him.)
It's all in the waveform, man. Square waves are so.... square. Valves are, like, smooooooooooooth.
Gmash
Extreme Android User
Probably because the newer DVDs are mixed in 5.1 surround and the older ones might be mixed in stereo. If you're not listening through a surround system, see if you can change it to stereo in the DVD setup menu. That should give you clearer dialog.
Gmash
Extreme Android User
It's all in the waveform, man. Square waves are so.... square. Valves are, like, smooooooooooooth.
Groovy, man.
zuben el genub
Extreme Android User
Did Bono, Edge and co. ever apologise for foisting War on all those unsuspecting new Walkman owners 32 years ago?
zuben el genub
Extreme Android User
Were they around 32 years ago?
Never used what came with any player. Only bought players that used cards. Sandisk had the Sansa - used micro SD. Formatted card and put my own stuff on it. Either ripped from CD I owned or a bought MP3. It would use an RCA jack to play through the CD player combo in the truck.
Very handy. CDs and offroading in red dust don't agree.
Never used what came with any player. Only bought players that used cards. Sandisk had the Sansa - used micro SD. Formatted card and put my own stuff on it. Either ripped from CD I owned or a bought MP3. It would use an RCA jack to play through the CD player combo in the truck.
Very handy. CDs and offroading in red dust don't agree.
32 years ago = 1982, so yes, U2 were definitely around. War was I think their 3rd album.
And yikes, I saw them in a little club way back in '81. It was the 'Boy' tour, way before they were huge. They were just a wee little band with potential. Fun fact, Bono is wearing a t-shirt from the club in the 'Gloria' video.
zuben el genub
Extreme Android User
We preferred Dire Straits. Kid knew all the words to "Money for Nothing" at six. She liked Jethro Tull, too.
Respect to U2, because they're one of the very few bands that's been going more or less continually for 35+ years with still the original members, no break-ups or line-up changes at all. Often bands are re-formed for a tour or something, and it's just 1 or 2 originals and maybe some session musicians.
The Drifters, originally formed in 1953, there's a band going around now using the name "The Drifters" and singing the songs, but there's no original members at all, probably because they're all dead or too old. Think even "Bill Haley & The Comets" are still going, despite the fact that Bill Haley died in 1981.
The Drifters, originally formed in 1953, there's a band going around now using the name "The Drifters" and singing the songs, but there's no original members at all, probably because they're all dead or too old. Think even "Bill Haley & The Comets" are still going, despite the fact that Bill Haley died in 1981.
dibblebill
Android Expert
Kind of like Styx and Yes
When John Bonham died in 1980, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones all agreed, that's it no more Led Zeppelin. They're still performing, recording and touring etc, but they're not using the "Led Zeppelin" name. Sure Ian Anderson said similar thing this year, no more Jethro Tull. No doubt he's still performing Jethro Tull songs though, like Aqualung, but using his own name.
