Tube-powered home theater - FINALLY!

[Newc]

And guess who makes it?

http://butleraudio.com/home.php

Those that remember the original Tube Driver pedals from the 80s might recall they were made by BK Butler before bearing the Chandler logo.

[SeventhSon]

hmmm...not really interested in spending $3k to hear fake explosions with tube amplification. am i going to remark how realistic those fake explosions sound? lol

my solid state denon a/v switcher works just fine for me (YMMV).

if i need to get truly blown away, i'll go to an imax theater.

[metalchurch79]

BKButler knows his shit man, but I'm not prepared to spend that kind of money on that. I dont really watch tv enough to merit it, if i had the cash to burn on it.
I'd love to hear it in person to experience it though. I'd be like the dude sitting in my chair with my hair lown back like the old Maxell advertisements.

[bibz]

Pretty sure tube amps have been involved in high end hifi since their inception, lots of nice old gear out there. You should see what they charge for tubes, too!

[SEEGERMANY]

Too expensive for the regular joes out there!

[DonP]

I'll hook my TV up to my Marshall

No, but seriously, I'll build my own tube amp system, someday. I have the parts, just not the time to do it.

[Cygnus X1]

DC coupled output?
As in no output transformer?

Sounds cool, if a bit high for just two output tubes.
I am thinking about building a tube stereo amp.

[Newc]

Wouldn't the power tubes handle the output transforming? :shrug:

Anyhoo, I know 2-channel tube stereo has been around since the 40s, but this is surround sound. 5.1 and 7.1 all tube surround sound!

You know how good the THX "sound" sounds through a decent solid state system? The full bass rumble about halfway through it? Imagine that being pushed through a pair of tube-powered solid wood 15 or 18 cabs :drool:

Or the beach scene in Saving Private Ryan.

Or the Death Star powering up to blast a planet

Hell, even the pistol and punches in Indiana Jones

[AlexL]

I think one reason tube-based technology has not been prevalent in home theater systems is not due to cost, but more to do with response time, transients, etc.

Solid state responds quicker to the instant dynamics experienced in a film soundtrack (explosions, etc.).

"Punch" vs. "Sag", if you will.


- E.

[Hellbat]

Some of the highest end home theater/stereo product is tube based...

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/default.asp

[Jayster]

hehehehehehe - I've got an old BK vacuum tube tester !