I have a Fisher 202 Futura Series receiver that I use at work which works very good, but it don't seem to sound very warm.

I thought about it and may insert one of these http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=137 in the tape loop in hopes it will warm up the sound some.

It uses a single vacuum tube and I originally had it in my computer at one time, but removed it when I got an audiophile quality sound card.

Uses 12 volts and 5 volts. The 5 volts will be supplied by a 7805 voltage regulator. I will more than likely use a 12 volt power supply that can be plugged into the rear of the receiver so it will go off when the receiver is turned off.

Will that work to warm up the sound some?

It might be easier to simply leave well enough alone.

Otherwise, you won't know until you try it. Nobody's advice can be valid in such a situation, for after all, no one knows exactly what it is you're looking for. "Warmer sound?" That can mean something different to everyone, and probably does.

Larry

I guess what I mean is a more tube like sound sort of like how a Scott LK-72 would sound.

I love the receiver as is, but I figured if I could get somewhat of a vacuum tube sound it would be even better.

If you want tube sound Buy a Fisher 400 or 800 , don't think a tube buffer is going to do it with a transistor receiver .

I would if one were the same size as the 202. I did use that with my computer at one time and it did provide some warmth to the sound IIRC. Plus it would look cool

Try a different model with a little more horsepower. The TX-500 I used to have sounded very nice. I used it as a main receiver for many years. They have been discovered though and usually bring a nice price. I thought it was an excellent sounding solid state receiver. I sold it because, as Marlon Brando said, he made me an offer, I couldn't refuse.

Your choice of speaker will make a lot more difference to the warmth of the sound than you will achieve by playing with outboard processors.

--Chuck

I agree.

The speakers I use were originally a stock pair of the Auvio 6 1/2" two way bookshelf speakers. After I had them a few days and disliked their piss poor sound (they sounded decent on my Scott LK-72 though) I rebuilt them using a Dayton Audio 6 1/2" woofer and a HiVI TN25 dome tweeter with proper 12 db/octave crossover. I also use a 10" cheap JVC powered sub (replaced original speaker with a Sony EXPLOD sub) which is connected via a circuit consistong of a couple resistors to sum the stereo signal to mono and a 111 ohm resistor (what I had at work that worked properly) in parallel with the subwoofer input and it works good.

I honestly believe it could be that I'm simply used to my home stereo which uses Altec 511B horns for the midrange and Klipsch KG4 horns for the treble. I simply cannot expect a pair of bookshelf speakers to produce the same warmth as horns do without actually having horns in them.

Can someone please describe what is meant by "warmth of sound"?

Dave

I read the linked article.

This sort of argument has been floating around in various forms since the days of the first solid-state components. It has evolved over time (for better or worse), but it basically amounts to yet another invocation of the so-called "aesthetic principle of indeterminacy."

The argument goes something like this: Carefully selected and proportioned amounts of indeterminacy are more pleasing to human senses than something which is clear, plain, and defined down to the last iota. The careful selection (and proportion) of indeterminacy is the heart of it; gross blemishes, which are offensive to almost anyone, are totally off the scale.

It's the operating principle behind such architectural works as the Parthenon, in which no line is perfectly straight, no plane perfectly flat, etc. It's also the operating principle behind impressionist art and music; for example, compare a Debussy score, which always seems to float in some ethereal and indeterminate world of its own, with a score from any of the classicists like Haydn or Mozart, a score in which everything stands solidly on earth.

And apparently, many think that it's the operating principle behind tube audio, with its various minor "indeterminacies."

Hope this helps.

Larry

I also wonder if it has something to do with the fact that tubes are voltage controled devices while transistors are current controled devices?

Damn if I know. Mox nix.

The truth is, I don't think much about such things. I have more than enough to keep me occupied as is.



Larry

I agree.

I use both tube and solid state amps and other than the tube amps being able to go louder before distortion sets in for a given output wattage versus solid state and the fact that tubes can soften the sound of a digital recording I don't really notice much difference provided the tube amp and solid state amp are properly designed.