Originally Posted by
RothwellAudio
Yes. When I first heard about cryogenic treatment I did think it was audiophile mumbo-jumbo but when I looked into it I discovered that it's a widely used treatment in the materials science industry similar to (the converse of?) heat treatment, used for hardening metals. I'm sure there's more to it than that and I may have misrepresented it
However, how that relates to valves and the effects on audio performance I don't know.
At least they used a low-noise op-amp. I'd be cautious about "chip rolling" willy-nilly. Actually, I tried rolling an op-amp once and found they're just not the right shape for rolling
So, it's mostly op-amps with a tube thrown in for marketing. Am I the cynical one or are they?
I certainly consider cryogenic treatment as audio mumbo jumbo!
I'm a big fan of hybrids... when done properly and for the right reasons! This I consider a cynical marketing ploy, as is unfortunately often the case.
To me a proper hybrid is when valves and SS are combined in the same circuit stage in order to exploit the best properties of both types of device and hopefully give results that would be impossible to get when using just valves or just SS (ie probably also beyond the technical understanding of the average customer as to why I've done it!). Making an entirely SS unit and then sticking a valve buffer or x4 amp on the end of it is "not cricket" in my way of looking at it and is almost certainly a marketing ploy.... especially as said customers can understand "now with tube output stage!!"
Anyone remember those Luxman integrated amps with a random single valve included which was placed about 6" from where it needed to be so it was just behind the front panel... with a perspex window to look at it glow? It probably says a lot about my lack of understanding of customers buying motivations in that I would think "what idiot would be so easily persuaded by such a simplistic and cynical marketing ploy!?" whereas the customers probably think "wow that's way cool man I want one..." Replace the valve bit with "huge analogue VU meters on an amp" and I have the same opinion! Adds maybe £25 to the cost of making the amp and so £100 to purchase cost and yet is usually as much use as a chocolate fireguard! Boys and their toys eh....
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