Forget the amp this might create, I want that computer!

[OldManC]

There's no word on whether these vacuum-channel transistors will allow for the creation of small, modern audio amplifiers that sound like original tube amps — but maybe!

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/185027-the-vacuum-tube-strikes-back-nasas-tiny-460ghz-vacuum-transistor-that-could-one-day-replace-silicon-fets

[Dave W]

Wouldn't that be nice!

[Pilgrim]

It would make many grey-haired old farts happy to look into their amp and see tube-like objects.

Not sure it would sound any different, but the basic premise is intriguing.

agreed, I don't care about the amp, but the computer would be a burner.  Might be a bit bulky, though.

[Granny Gremlin]

As an IT guy and musician I think it's a wonderful time to be alive.  If, along with miniaturisation they can reduce the voltage requirements, I see micro heads and more tube OD/preamp pedals hitting the market in a decade.

[uwe]

I thought the US, Russia and China military always retained a core tube technology because - unlike transistors - tubes will work immediately after (and during) a nuclear strike? I further thought that a company like Sovtek were military suppliers initially?

[Granny Gremlin]

They are/were.  The Sovtek 5881WXT is actually not a 5881 at all but a weird Russian (Soviet era) servo tube used in certain MIG fighters and military comm equipment generally that was close enough in specs to be subbed in, so Sovtek started relabbelling them, changed the bases out to standard octal and started selling surplus off to the audio market.  It can actually take much higher plate voltages than other 5881/6L6s which is why Fender and Mesa use them as original equipment (rebranded of course).  Now they are probably THE single most commonly used 6L6 type tube out there.  Not the best sounding, but certainly the most robust (as far as new production goes).

[4stringer77]

Knowing my Sunn will still work after a nuclear attack makes me feel so much better! 
Russia has also started using typewriters again. They're much harder to hack.

[Granny Gremlin]

If it's ' 7 knob' aka a Sunn w trem and verb the trem circuit as well as the reverb recovery amp are solid state. Not sure about the non- fx models; probably all tube. .... oh later Sunns used solid state rectifiers, but I think diodes would be ok vs transistors which are more delicate/ sensitive to heat and, I assume, EMPs.

[4stringer77]

Just a regular 2000s with the dual tube rectifier. That's what these 5AR4 tubes are for, correct?

[Granny Gremlin]

Yep (though I thought these guys used GZ34s vs 5AR4s, whatever the case that would be them).  My 1200s (same power section; diff preamp) is a later one - still has the rectifier tube sockets, but the second one isn't even wired up (so nice of Conrad to put it in there anyway, in case one wants the tube sag) and the first one has a plug in diode bridge module instead of the tube.  Tighter bass with ss rectification and more headroom.  Since there are multiple unused pins on octal base rectifier tubes, it's actually stupid simple to mod an amp to have the option for both.  Just need 4 diodes (buck each on the outside), a switch, and a soldering iron .  Good backup too in case a rectifier tube goes.

[gweimer]

Knowing my Sunn will still work after a nuclear attack makes me feel so much better! 
Russia has also started using typewriters again. They're much harder to hack.

[4stringer77]

Monkey see, monkey do.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2701392/Typewriter-sales-boom-Germany-thousands-basics-bid-avoid-U-S-spies-wake-NSA-allegations.html

[Pilgrim]

That story is from 2014 and includes this comment: "Last year Triumph Adler, part of Bandermann, made a YouTube video announcing its machines were 'Bug proof. NSA proof.'"

Which tells you the high regard the rest of the world has for US security. They are not interested in having us look over their shoulders.

I remember the thrill of trying to read the 3rd carbon of a typewritten document. Not.