Difference between budget and high end amps

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Odd, because I performed the same tests as you did in my house, but hooked up to different speakers (Infinity Reference Standard 2.5's), and my results confirmed the exact opposite. Every amp I tested sounded different, some to greater extents then others. I compared them all at I would assume around 10-50wrms each (based on the volume, not a bench). In other words, it was not an EXACT comparison of sound level, but close enough to make no difference. I set all the gains at half and the crossovers at full pass.
I am a FIRM believer that different amps sound different. Maybe it's because of how revealing my speakers are (google "Infinity RS 2.5" and I'll think you'll understand what I mean), but still. Every amp I have tested, given that all of the amps I have ran for the most part are high quality o/s amps, has its own unique characteristics. The biggest differences I was able to note was the obvious THD, and the less obvious separation, imaging, coloration, and warmth/brightness.

You demonstrate here that you have no concept of scientific method or even what makes for a valid comparison. Your results are completely invalidated by you lack of scrutiny when setting up each amp. If you don't even bother matching the power exactly (hugely important) then you can't claim a result. Also as long as you know what amp you have hooked up you introduce subconscious bias into your listening again rendering your result invalid.

 

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

You demonstrate here that you have no concept of scientific method or even what makes for a valid comparison. Your results are completely invalidated by you lack of scrutiny when setting up each amp. If you don't even bother matching the power exactly (hugely important) then you can't claim a result. Also as long as you know what amp you have hooked up you introduce subconscious bias into your listening again rendering your result invalid.

Right...that must be why I prefer the sound of my Earthquake amps over the PPI A1200...Total bias in effect right there!

The difference is sound quality, no matter 10% or 50% output, is always prevalent to me. The characteristics of the amps stay relatively the same through that output range.

As I said before, these differences are OBVIOUS. They aren't little things that require a "golden ear".

I put no bias forth when testing amps. Zero. Zip. Nada. But most results are as you'd expect...the LA Sound Malibu didn't score well overall for me, but the A1200/Sony XM's (o/s)/EQ PA-series amps performed extremely well.

Are you going to tell me that the same "no difference" rules apply to home audio amps/receivers? If so, then gtfo ---->

 

[Bassin Buick]

Those Vibe audio amplifiers at Sonic Electronix seem to be the diamond in the rough "budget" amplifier of the moment:
VIBE Audio LiteBox Bass 1 (LiteBox1) Monoblock Car Amplifier

VIBE Audio LiteBox Stereo 2 (LiteBox2) 2-Channel Amplifier

VIBE Audio LiteBox Stereo 4 (LiteBox4) 4-Channel Amplifier

They share the same basic design as the Arc Audio KS series and are manufactured by the same company, UBUY.

I've been looking at these as well. each is under 180 , compared to 450+ for the arc counterpart.

 

[Haunz 10+ year member]

Right...that must be why I prefer the sound of my Earthquake amps over the PPI A1200...Total bias in effect right there!
The difference is sound quality, no matter 10% or 50% output, is always prevalent to me. The characteristics of the amps stay relatively the same through that output range.

As I said before, these differences are OBVIOUS. They aren't little things that require a "golden ear".

I put no bias forth when testing amps. Zero. Zip. Nada. But most results are as you'd expect...the LA Sound Malibu didn't score well overall for me, but the A1200/Sony XM's (o/s)/EQ PA-series amps performed extremely well.

Are you going to tell me that the same "no difference" rules apply to home audio amps/receivers? If so, then gtfo ---->

:facepalm:

Don't worry about it helotaxi, some people just don't get it and never will... Once someone has adopted a personal belief, no matter how crazy it is, it can be hard for them to let go of it even when the truth is right infront of thier face...

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

the only difference is how "cool" you are perceived on forums...

to me the main difference is the actual power output and the ability to take abuse/being ran under impedence...i disturb the piece, I could give a shitt about THD

 

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

:facepalm:
Don't worry about it helotaxi, some people just don't get it and never will... Once someone has adopted a personal belief, no matter how crazy it is, it can be hard for them to let go of it even when the truth is right infront of thier face...

This isnt personal belief. I bring my friends over for a listen too. Same results. Maybe it's coincidental? Hmmmm....

 

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

the only difference is how "cool" you are perceived on forums...
to me the main difference is the actual power output and the ability to take abuse/being ran under impedence...i disturb the piece, I could give a shitt about THD

If I wanted to be "cool" on the forums, I would be building my system for the deebeez...instead, I'm running Sony and Earthquake equipment with no aim for a certain number. I want it to sound good for me...

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I love having a Countryman Type 85 DI box because it allows me to see the frequency response of my amplifiers, like so:

I can also use it to measure factory systems to determine the amount of EQ they provide!

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

That's some pretty wicked roll-off on the bottom end.

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I think that rolloff is a function of a combination of oddities. The drop off isn't as bad when I RTA a sweep, looped, with a peak hold engaged:

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

That looks much better.

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

According to Richard Clark, all amps sound the exact same.
Lol...what a joke. I'm going all Rockwood and Pyle on my next buildlog

I think you should switch to PYLE,matches your Avatar and SIG well...Noobish with a

slight **** flavah

Budget Amps vs High End amps

I can hear feel and see the difference not to mention cheap amps

do not put out the power ...PA is a perfect example,them cheap budget amps

are putting out about 50% of what they advertise and the footprints are huge

 

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

I think you should switch to PYLE,matches your Avatar and SIG well...Noobish with a slight **** flavah

Budget Amps vs High End amps

I can hear feel and see the difference not to mention cheap amps

do not put out the power ...PA is a perfect example,them cheap budget amps

are putting out about 50% of what they advertise and the footprints are huge

Right...I'm noobish and ghey because I have troll physics in my sig/avvy. Riiiiight.....

 

[chillin 10+ year member]

The whole point of the RC test is that with quality amps that have low thd and do the same power, they will sound the same when setup properly. Not when setup with all gains set to half. Pyramid would not be included in a test as a 1000 watt amp because it has distortion from 150 watts up. First off the amps have to be clamped to have the exact same output, not half gain.

Have you ever heard of the fletcher-munson curves? Basically humans hear less low high frequency when amplitude is low. So if you are setting up all your amps with half gain and one of them is more sensitive than the others, it will probably have a little more output which will add more high and low freq to whatt you percieve and you will think it sounds warmer. Also setting your amps at half could be clipping them which would also colour your sound.

 

[gunz4me2 10+ year member]

I can make the SAME amplifier sound different just by adjusting the gain while keeping everything else constant. Don't believe me? Try playing your amplifier at a low volume level, say 5 or 6, with the gain all the way down. Now, do it again with the gain all the way up at the same volume level. Sound the same?

The point I am trying to make is that differences in amplitude are far easier to pick out than differences in similarly powered amplifiers that measure within 1 dB of each other from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.