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Amplifiers
Can you really hear the difference between amps?
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<blockquote data-quote="squeak9798" data-source="post: 3943964" data-attributes="member: 555320"><p>Actually yes, you can. And quite easily.</p><p></p><p>There are many more factors to consider when conducting an "amplifier comparison" than simply unplugging one amp and connecting another.</p><p></p><p>Variances in gain structure can affect output for a given volume setting. Not closely enough matching power output. Heck, if you knew which amplifier you were listening to the test is completely invalid. This list could go on for a while.</p><p></p><p>I've <em>never</em> seen an "amateur" amplifier comparison on these forums (or anywhere else) conducted in a manor that would make the results valid. Of the comparisons that have been conducted in a manor that would make the results valid, they have <strong>all </strong>indicated that the sound of an amplifier is completely characterized by the measurements previously listed.</p><p></p><p>Which means the "choice of parts, quality, and build design" will ONLY cause an audible change in sound if it also causes a measurable differences in those previously mentioned measurements that exceeds the threshold of audibility. If you can equalize frequency response, match power output, maintain inaudible levels of distortion, have inaudible differences in the level of noise and properly match the gain structure you will not have a difference in the sound regardless of choice of parts, quality, and build design.</p><p></p><p>Keep in mind I am not saying that "all amplifiers sound the same". I am attributing differences in sound (or lack thereof) to quantifiable measurements of the amplifier's performance. Anything that is going to affect the "sound" of an amplifier must affect one of those measurements. If it doesn't measurably affect one of those measurements, it will not affect the sound.</p><p></p><p>I will say that I believe a significant portion of the audio amplifiers on the market will very likely fall into the range where the differences in those previously mentioned measurements will not be audibly different. And even if there are slight variations in frequency response, for example, a simple equalizer could be added to the system to remove this effect.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="squeak9798, post: 3943964, member: 555320"] Actually yes, you can. And quite easily. There are many more factors to consider when conducting an "amplifier comparison" than simply unplugging one amp and connecting another. Variances in gain structure can affect output for a given volume setting. Not closely enough matching power output. Heck, if you knew which amplifier you were listening to the test is completely invalid. This list could go on for a while. I've [I]never[/I] seen an "amateur" amplifier comparison on these forums (or anywhere else) conducted in a manor that would make the results valid. Of the comparisons that have been conducted in a manor that would make the results valid, they have [B]all [/B]indicated that the sound of an amplifier is completely characterized by the measurements previously listed. Which means the "choice of parts, quality, and build design" will ONLY cause an audible change in sound if it also causes a measurable differences in those previously mentioned measurements that exceeds the threshold of audibility. If you can equalize frequency response, match power output, maintain inaudible levels of distortion, have inaudible differences in the level of noise and properly match the gain structure you will not have a difference in the sound regardless of choice of parts, quality, and build design. Keep in mind I am not saying that "all amplifiers sound the same". I am attributing differences in sound (or lack thereof) to quantifiable measurements of the amplifier's performance. Anything that is going to affect the "sound" of an amplifier must affect one of those measurements. If it doesn't measurably affect one of those measurements, it will not affect the sound. I will say that I believe a significant portion of the audio amplifiers on the market will very likely fall into the range where the differences in those previously mentioned measurements will not be audibly different. And even if there are slight variations in frequency response, for example, a simple equalizer could be added to the system to remove this effect. [/QUOTE]
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Can you really hear the difference between amps?
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