as notes, it is often hard to determine exactly how much difference there is in electronics just by looking at something. Think about how people can optimize car engines with visually minor tweaks. maybe not double HP or anything, but enough to be useful. For electronics, this can be similar in that often boards are made to support many options.
For amplifiers, component ratings may be optimized. It may be the case that more expensive, lower ESR caps are used instead of cheaper parts for the power supply. Maybe the MOSFETs have been chosen to be more optimal for the application. there are a variety of tweaks that might be done to improve a spec, or tune it more for a given application.
for example, the top amp has extra poly caps -- the reddish square/blobs that are next to the big tripath IC. The main transformer (ring with wires wrapped around it, laying down) may have been wound differently. the rest of the output filter may be different as well.
that said, I'd be more inclined to think the amps are likely very similar.
For amplifiers, component ratings may be optimized. It may be the case that more expensive, lower ESR caps are used instead of cheaper parts for the power supply. Maybe the MOSFETs have been chosen to be more optimal for the application. there are a variety of tweaks that might be done to improve a spec, or tune it more for a given application.
for example, the top amp has extra poly caps -- the reddish square/blobs that are next to the big tripath IC. The main transformer (ring with wires wrapped around it, laying down) may have been wound differently. the rest of the output filter may be different as well.
that said, I'd be more inclined to think the amps are likely very similar.
