Do stereo amplifiers sound different. Do Solid-State...
- Do stereo amplifiers sound different. Do Solid-State (Transistor) Amplifiers Sound Different? They may sound different if they are used at high volume levels as they approach the limits of their output ratings, when the amplifiers’ distortion is rising and nearing the clipping point. Both amps sound wonderful, so this is definitely an issue of preference as to which sound one prefers, and I am lucky to be able to keep both, but I was very surprised at how different the sound stage and stereo image was between the two. etc But I can clearly distinguish between the two amplifiers every time I do a blind test. The debate over whether amplifiers truly sound different has been a long-standing and contentious one among musicians, audiophiles, and sound engineers. The truth is that, when it comes to two-channel music, even the best AV amplifiers can’t hold a candle to the vast majority of stereo amps. What explains this? Receiver vs Amplifier? Discover which setup offers better sound quality, flexibility, and value for your HiFi system. Check out the helpful amp facts too! If you have read an amplifier review or looked at the specifications for an amp, the chances are that you have come across a term such as 'Class A/B'. But I always find them more colored than digital amps. The Amplifier A car stereo system has to have an amplifier to increase the power of an audio signal so it's strong enough to move the speakers and create sound. Then amplifier classes is the term used to differentiate between the different amplifier types. 3, Musical Fidelity M6i, Hegel H160, Devialet 120, Exposure 3010S2, HK 990, Cambridge Audio 851W, Adcom GFA 555SE, Class D Audio SDS 470C, Sony TA A1ES. This article will run you through each of the 3 options explaining in great detail how to connect 2 amplifiers together without a hassle. Also, why have amp blind demo tests not shown to sound different? But if two amps of radically different topologies sound different, can they be made to sound the same? This very question was posed to the affable Bob Carver in 1985 and became the basis of one of the oddest challenges in audio history. Jul 30, 2025 · But a loudspeaker isn't a pure resistance. Jul 13, 2023 · When it comes to audio systems, the topic of amplifier sound differences sparks intense debate and speculation among audio enthusiasts. Some headphone amplifiers have used it to connect balanced stereo headphones, which require two conductors per audio channel as the channels do not share a common ground. This topic has also been beaten to death in this forum. I never did any DBT to compare these amps All hi-fi equipment, whether it be headphones, Bluetooth speakers, CD players, amplifiers, turntables or other components needs to be run in. The problem is that no two different amplifier designs will ever measure identically across the board. Most digital devices (phones, computers, TVs Whether it’s for mixing tracks in the studio or providing live sound reinforcement for touring or installed PA systems, amplifiers are an important part of an audio signal chain. Its purpose is to receive audio and video signals from a number of sources, and to process them and provide power amplifiers to drive loudspeakers, and/or route the video to displays such as a television Depends on which modern as well. Different tubes can sound different but going from one good tube of a given type to another good tube of the same type but made by a different manufacturer shouldn't be a "its a completely new amplifier" situation. Do not forget to bookmark this page — or download the sound files to your portable audio player if you are a patron — when going out shopping for a new pair of headphones or earphones. While we like the idea of plug-and-play set-ups as much as anyone, there’s more to getting the best out of stereo amplifiers than simply powering them up on a hi-fi rack, plugging in speakers and going wild with the volume dial. But how do tube amps work, and what are the variations that result in different tones? While we like the idea of plug-and-play set-ups as much as anyone, there’s more to getting the best out of stereo amplifiers than simply powering them up on a hi-fi rack, plugging in speakers and going wild with the volume dial. Wondering what a car amplifier does? Here you'll learn what they do for great sound in a car speaker system, how they work, common features, and so much more! One method used to distinguish the electrical characteristics of different types of amplifiers is by what is known as “class”, and as such amplifiers are classified according to their circuit configuration and method of operation. Find the best car amplifier can be tough, so I've put together a buyer's guide and 5 of the best buys for your money. My experience suggests both pre and power can sound very different. Do amplifiers sound different? — By Paul McGowan — February 6, 2018 httpv://youtu. The class gives a broad indication of an amplifier's efficiency, linearity and other characteristics. That said, if you're trying to compare something like an Audio Research amp from the 80's to a Best Buy grade AV receiver you can be lead to believe modern is lousy. Uncover the truth about amplifiers. To optimize stereo audio, it’s best to have your speakers set up in a specific way. An ideal loadis perfectly resistive, and has no reactive elements (inductance orcapacitance) at all. Unlock the sonic potential of your audio equipment as we answer the question, "Does an amplifier improve sound quality?" Dive into our comprehensive guide to uncover the role of amplifiers in sound quality enhancement. if all amps working right sound the same, why are there so many different brands/types? rhetorically, i understand capitalism. Seperates or Integrated Amp? To all audiophiles/music lovers who think that all amplifiers sound the same, I've come to this youtube video demonstrating a sample test of NAD M23 vs Pass Labs X 150. Refer to the image below to see an example of parallel wiring. In cases of power amplifiers, signals are amplified much more to power a loudspeaker. Why Do Amplifiers Sound Different? By NORMAN H. An audio/video receiver (AVR) or a stereo receiver is a consumer electronics component used in a home theater, home audio, or hi-fi system. with minor influence on the sound quality. In 1985 Stereophile magazine was edited by J. Stereo amplifiers receive and enlarge small electrical signals. Where should you place it, for example? And how's best to connect it Why can two of the same topology of amp sound different?. Power amplifier classes In electronics, power amplifier classes are letter symbols applied to different power amplifier types. But SOMETHING was different. Let’s take a quick look at the differences between each mode and when you might want to use each of them. Select Audio Output and then adjust one of the following settings. I like the sound of 80's gear more than 70's and find the it to be quite similar between good 80's stuff and good modern gear. Do they all sound the same? Explore audio myths and facts to enhance your listening experience. You should do a search 'Do amplifiers sound different'. Expert insights from Otto Jørgensen. A DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) is an audio component that converts digital music data into analogue signals that speakers and headphones can play, because human ears and audio equipment require analogue sound waves, not binary “0s and 1s”. In the last 2-3 years, I've had different amplifiers and integrated amplifiers in my system : Moon i5. Class D amplifiers, first proposed in 1958, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Due to their natural compression and harmonic distortion, they also tend to sound warmer and more musical. A recent article on "Meth ods of Measuring and Specifying Audio Distortion" (August 1956 RADIO & TEL EVISION NEWS) showed reasons why the same specified amount of distor tion can sound different, according to the exact natufe of the distortion, and pointed up the need for more precise methods of specifying such. Gordon Holt and published by Larry Archibald. . It is a two-port electronic circuit that uses electric power from a power supply to increase the amplitude (magnitude of the voltage or current) of a signal applied to its input A recent post titled “Do the main classes of stereo power amplifiers (A, AB, D) truly sound different to the average individual?” by user VinylHighway sparked discussions that ranged from personal experiences to scientific analyses. Receivers differ from amps in that they have - * Processing of audio (DSP, YPAO vs Audyssey will create differences, IMO) * DACs (Do DACs sound different? This is also endlessly debated) * Pre amp ( the If you’ve ever talked about “synergy” or struggled to explain why your tube amp sounds different from your Class D amp, this is the science behind it. 8. An amplifier, electronic amplifier or (informally) amp is an electronic device that can increase the magnitude of a signal (a time-varying voltage or current). Some argue that, under certain conditions, all amplifiers produce similar sonic results, while others firmly believe that the choice of amplifier significantly influences the final sound. Confused about Class A, AB, and D amplifiers? Discover how each amp class affects sound quality, efficiency, and system synergy in this expert guide to hi-fi amplifier types Back in the early 1980s, Cyrus Audio was founded as the electronics offshoot of Mission Loudspeakers. Indeed, in its early years the brand was called Mission Cyrus. A loudspeaker interacts with the amplifiers output stages. Just as there is no such thing as a perfect amplifier,there is also no Claiming that two different amplifiers that measure identically will inevitably sound the same is of course true. In fact, this is just one of a number of different amplifier classes, the most common being Class A, Class A/B and Class D. We discuss the different audio amplifier classes, going over the real meanings behind Class A, B, A/B, G, H, and D and the pros and cons of each design. ive heard the gfa 5500 sounds as close to tube sound as you can get due to the mosfets in Personally speaking I find that in a well designed amp, specific tubes don't sound as different as people tend to carry on about. which is more or less the same question. Whatever your reason is for connecting multiple amplifiers together, you can easily do it in 3 different ways. What are Class D amplifiers? How do they compare with other kinds of amplifiers? Why is Class D of interest for audio? What is needed to make a “good” audio Class D amplifier? What are the features of ADI’s Class D amplifier products? Find the answers to all these questions in the following When a transistor amplifier alters the sound, it almost always makes it worse. [Elliott] The output impedance of anyamplifier is finite. Our multi-room amplifier distributes clear sound across an entire home/building. When a tube amplifier modifies the sound, it usually makes the music sound better. So two amplifiers can sound different on the same loudspeaker. I know its youtube, and the sound is compressed, and I listen to my equipment . I am of the opinion that there is a lot of hoopla made of very little in audio, and that all well designed amps sound fine. But I have experienced that all amps are not necessarily The AVR FAQ gives some links about this. Stream audio throughout your home under full control with Juke Audio. It launched its first products in late 1984, two half-width integrated amplifiers called, simply, the Mission Cyrus One and the Mission Discover the differences between amplifier classes like A, A/B, D, and H, and understand which one might be best for your audio needs. And that's why the general consensus has always been that you need to decide whether your priority is stereo or surround sound, and sacrifice one for better performance with the other. Letter: Why Amplifiers Sound the Same Editor: In a recent conversation with my astrologist, I asked her why I have gotten so involved in the controversy over amplifier testing and design. CROWHURST Reasons for performance differences in audio power amplifiers having simiLar pubLished specifications. The difference might not always be huge, but it’s real, measurable, and often audible. But if two amps of radically different topologies sound different, can they be made to sound the same? This very question was posed to the affable Bob Carver in 1985 and became the basis of one of the oddest challenges in audio history. Before you start Make sure the impedance rating of your speakers is 8 ohms. Tube amps are more responsive than solid-state amps, enabling you to play more dynamically and expressively. However there was a time I bought a pair of Arcam P1 monoblocks that at the time seemed to be thought by all to be a good step up from bi-amping with P35 stereo amps. And knowing a bit about how amps and speakers interact can help you make smarter choices when building your system. So being here , i would hope amp experts and audiophiles along sharing possible factors that can and/or will impact how an amplifier plays out! How to adjust audio settings on your PS5 console Go to Settings > Sound. Why do amplifiers sound different? Coming from a electrical engineering background, amplifiers theoretically should all sound alike as when measured into an 8 ohm load, their frequency response is extremely flat. This can impact power delivery, frequency response, bass handling etc. Where should you place it, for example? And how's best to connect it The only reason the vast majority of amplifiers sound different below 3-4 ohms is because their protection circuitry is calibrated for that and starts reducing the drive to the output transistors. This requires two amplifiers – one for the left speaker and one for the right speaker. Some argue that all amplifiers sound the same, while others firmly believe that different amplifiers can produce noticeable sonic variations. Which amplifier is best? Read on. Amplifier Modes: Stereo vs Parallel vs Bridge Mono There are three common modes that you’ll find on multi-channel amplifiers: Stereo, Parallel, and Bridge Mono. Each speaker can play something different. Some debate that all amplifiers sound the same provided they aren't driven into clipping, while others argue that measurements don't tell all. Crummier tube amplifiers will have more of the distortions that make tube amplifiers sound like tube amplifiers. Sound changes over time as the components bed in and the drivers and crossover become accustomed to their operating parameters. We do not recommend wiring your speakers in series as it will result in poor sound quality. Pre-amps certainly but power amps I've done less in the way of side by side serious comparisons. Any other impedance rating may cause the Amp or Connect:Amp to fault. From the 3 options, you can pick one that works for your audio system. This article explores the technical reasons why amplifiers can sound different, even when not being driven to their design limits. and why would i pay $5000 for one if the $500 one will sound the same? i own 3 audiosource amps and a recently purchased adcom. Aug 2, 2025 · Bottom line: all amplifiers do not sound the same. Aug 2, 2025 · Your experience with the PrimaLuna EVO 400 and the 845 SET amplifier illustrates that output impedance and damping factor are only part of the story when it comes to amplifier performance. The question is, can and have you heard differences in audio amplifiers. be/s_uelh3fwtc I think at this point i have tried over 15 amplifiers both tube and SS , while some were very identical to each other in my listening sessions , others were pretty unique and distinctive on their own . While studying the specifications for a powered studio monitor, active loudspeaker, or power amplifier, you may have noticed that the amplifier is designated by a class followed by a letter or combination of letters What Is Stereo Audio? Stereo audio signals, on the other hand, contain two channels – left and right. How can two 1000 watt amplifiers measure the same but sound different? And are there ways measurements can tell us what to expect in an amplifier's audible p Introduction This page helps you evaluate headphones or earbuds online, and determine which one offers the best performance when comparing different pairs. Speakers will always be the major player in sound quality for all sound systems, the rest of the audio components such as amplifiers are more like supporting roles like providing power, processing the sound formats, etc. There is no such thing as an amplifier with zero outputimpedance, so all amps are influenced to some degree by the load. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of It didn't really sound different when you heard it, and it didn't really measure different (with the measurements we had available). n3rv, rtsiu, grfib, nuxa, qcl9s, xnzat, zgj8l, onyiq, jebs8, gesm,