I like tubes also, but why is this better than
a non-tube amp?

Looks like it has several negatives like mismatched tubes and sensitivity to vibrations,
so I’d like to know what makes is superior to a
simple transistor or IC amplifier.

this particular tube amp may not be particularly better than a solid state amp, as it’s geared more toward getting familiar with building tube amps rather than being properly designed for sound quality. However, a tube amp with a similar level of engineering to a comparable solid state amp will have different characteristics within its power range, and will handle clipping better than a solid state amp. There’s pros and cons to both technologies.

OK, so since I listen to music within
the non-distorting range of my amps
there’s no advantage to a tube amp
other than its prettiness (which I love).

And lots of disadvantages it looks like:
- Heat during operation.
- Hard-to-match component variability.
- Sensitivity to vibration.
- Higher power consumption.
- Fragility.

Maybe I’m just a weird guy, but the idea of connecting a self made device that internally uses very high voltages to another electric device mounted on my head (and specially placed on my sensitive and invaluable ears) scares me a lot.

“The external power supply is a small 5V switch-mode power supply”
Funny combination with tube amp. I always tought that a person who wants a tube amp would also like a PSU with regular transformer and 60 000uF capasitance on ripple rejection.

@rallen: Tubes produce even and odd harmonics, solid state devices suppress even harmonics.

Unless you’re overdriving your amplifier (to purposely get distortion) the response is almost identical to solid state into a resistive load. Since no one listens to their stereo if it’s loud enough to distort anyway, there is essentially no difference.
The difference is in the non-linear frequency response of the tube amp into an inductive load (speaker). This has the effect of boosting or cutting certain frequencies and acting like an EQ.
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/faq/tubeprimer.html

What’s the difference between solid-state and tube amps? It could be caused by the harmonic element, or the non-linear response of the tubes, and even some amps had interstage transformer coupling but the bottom line is the sound – some say that the tube amps are just plain “warmer sounding”.

its like having your ears stabbed with a nerf dart, vs a real dart

it is much warmer, one listen to a (decent not a kit toy) tube amp and you can tell what they are saying

@junkhacker, that statement was cracked me up. @Alan: read about synethesia. It’s when certain types of different senses evoke the visualization of certain colors. Are you an emotionless blob of gray or somethin’?

I agree with elal1862. this is NOT a headphone amp.

Maybe I should try this out. It would probbably be better than that shitty integrated solid state amp my turntable has. (if fact, anything would)

i have the k279 tube buffer kit with the same tubes….i was tapping them with a screwdriver to get them to ring….no ringing for me!