Valve amplifiers use thermionic valves to increase the amplitude or power of a signal. They require bulky power transformers to supply the high voltages needed for the anodes and the low voltages for the heaters. Audiophiles and guitarists favor them because when pushed into overdrive, they produce even-order harmonic distortion, which sounds warmer and more musical to the human ear than the harsh clipping of solid-state amps.
The bench is sagging under the weight of that old valve amplifier, watch out for the 400 volt rail on the output stage.
Also heard as
- tube amp
Related terms
Vacuum tube
An evacuated glass or metal envelope containing electrodes used to control electron flow.
Amplifier
A circuit or standalone device that increases the power, voltage, or current of an electrical signal.
Solid-state
Built entirely from semiconductor materials without moving parts or vacuum gaps.