Re: Do all amplifiers sound the same?

Sonnova wrote:
> On Thu, 8 May 2008 17:06:48 -0700, Peter Elem wrote
> (in article <g004io0mgk@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>):
>> Another thing. I cannot usually tell the difference between two good 
>> amps in an AB test.....But on first listening to an exceptional amp my 
>> subconscious tells me it's good after the first few seconds. Maybe 
>> that's what a "golden ear" is about.......
Sometimes you don't need much of a golden ear.  I went to a high end 
store and did some A/B comparisons of some mid-range A/V receivers 
(Yamaha, Dennon, Pioneer all priced around the $3,000 mark).  I could 
easily tell the Pioneer out from the other amps as it was quite scratchy.

You can definitely tell the difference between two amps of different 
class (price, build quality, etc).  Not so much for the sound (warmth, 
voice tonality, etc) but for the reproduction ability.  A strong amp can 
give more defined bass, high frequencies are crystal clear, etc.  My A/B 
2-channel (stereo) example is going from a Yamaha AV2090 (rated ~120W/ch 
RMS) to a Krell KSA-200S (rated 200W RMS in Class-A).  (I don't have the 
distortion figures with me.)  The difference was noticeable to me.

> That echoes my experience as well. 
>> RobertLang wrote:
>>> I do have criteria, however, when purchasing an amplifier as
subjective
>>> and perhaps shallow as they may be. Among the criteria are looks
(although
>>> my amps are now hidden from view), size, rated continuous power of 300
>>> watts + into 8 ohms with low rated distortion across the a wide
frequency
>>> response and power bandwidth, a doubling of power or near doubling
into 4
>>> ohms, substantial increase of rated power into 2 ohms, input
sensitivity of
>>> 1.5 V or less (for full output) because I employ a passive line stage,
and
>>> an input impedance friendly for passives. Usually they tend to be of
mono
>>> design (although that is not a criterion) even if contained in a
single
>>> chassis. 
Yeah, I admit that I have my own personal preference for amps as well. 
In my rough but not perfect order of preference...
(1) Power/Distortion figures (as a guide)
(2) Physical presence (it should look intimidating)
(3) Physical weight (a cheeky one... useful for Class A amps,
     totally useless when looking at a Class D amp)
(4) Practicality (can I get the cables connected, XLR connectors, etc)

I wouldn't mind hearing other peoples way of choosing an amp.

On a side note, I would love to hear a nice horn speaker setup on a tube 
amp. I imagine it would be an experience worth finding out.

Phil