ENTITY · TECHNOLOGY

807 valve (power tube)

Well supported

The 807 transmitting valve used in the custom tube amplifiers built for UK dub sound systems; in one documented design four of them delivered on the order of two thousand watts, prized for a warm, powerful bass timbre.

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At a glance

Type: technology →
Era: Rocksteady, reggae and dub →
Confidence: Well supported

Connections

Watch & listen

Open source ↗

The Mysteries of Soundman Metro

WEB · rights discovery only · press source

Red Bull Music Academy Daily feature.

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Debate & reception

How people argued about the music — praise, criticism and public debate. See all debate & reception →

debate

Valve or transistor: warmth versus power in the amp room

Two documented positions on sound-system amplification, stated neutrally: builders and purists prize valve (tube) amplifiers for a warm, weighty bass timbre and celebrated custom designs; others favour transistor (solid-state) amps for greater power, reliability and lower cost, and many rigs eventually moved to solid state. Neutral framing; no verdict. Sources: Red Bull Music Academy (Soundman Metro); Michael Veal, Dub; Blood and Fire forums.

Stance: valve warmth and weight vs transistor power, reliability and economy