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Amplification is underrated

Amplification is certainly a major contributor to what we hear. The farther evolved (aka "better") the source and speakers are, the more important the amp is. My journey took me through typical receivers to better integrated amps, to much better Hafler, B&K, NYAL, and Distrete Technology amps, to modified Dynaco/VTA tube amps. Everyone of those amps sounded different, and clearer ("better") to me respectively, regardless of the rated wattage. With better clarity came better sound stage, better depth, separation, and micro dynamics through the upper bass, and entire mid and treble range.

Deep bass has different needs and poses different physics, because control, damping factor, and power on demand while driving heavier cones are the more desirable attributes over clarity and soundstage. Some folks may have the budget for a top flight amp that does it all, but bi-amping with tubes on mids/highs, and SS on the bass was a feasible solution to my situation and budget. Best of both worlds IME and IMHO.

Sorry for the long winded diatribe just to say "heck yeah, amps make a big difference!" :bigok:
 
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I ran used and vintage amps for decades, about 4 of them, now. But earlier this year, I bought a brand new amp. Same general relative power as everything I've used previously. But, this is a high-current BJT design, as opposed to the MOSFET amps I've used previously, and sounds both faster and cleaner, with better low-end definition. While the overall tonal balance is similar, i.e., everything sounds right, the MOSFET amps seem to have a slight veil. I've heard it referred to as MOSFET haze. Regardless, they don't sound the same.

In my case, it was a true upgrade. Amplification is not under-rated around here.......
 
Sgt Shultz said:
Takes about 30 seconds for the music to die when this is turned off
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Maybe you need more capacitance!! This needs an emoji but I don't use em.

Leach Amp 1.jpg

Two transformers, box fan, about 700 a side and some capacitance.

Just look at the size of the power cord at the plug end.
 
opnly bafld said:
I certainly have never been a member of the unlimited money range or even close.
@ 20 years ago there were a number of quality amplifiers at very affordable prices, those same amps now are fetching a lot more (and are more than I'm willing to spend on something that needs a complete rebuild).
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True.
None of those I named (plus others of which I can't remember the brands) sounded better than my higher powered system, and only the McIntosh came close and I admit they were lower power. That's only going A/B with the PL, of course....too complicated switching the whole system. But why change? Either of the McIntosh would have been ok, but either would have cost me 3 times as much as I paid for the PL with no discernible improvement. And I am sure most others will disagree, but the Phase Linear also LOOKED better! :) Those awesome VU meters!
However. There was a receiver, Onkyo (?) that I would've liked to have. (Would like to have one now, if I could afford it!) I was driving my system with a Sherwood 5030R (basically using it as a preamp), but would have gladly switched it for the Onyko receiver. Those have huge green lit VU meters. I think they are the best looking meters I have ever seen. But the only used one I ever happened onto was out of my price range.
 
opnly bafld said:
I certainly have never been a member of the unlimited money range or even close.
@ 20 years ago there were a number of quality amplifiers at very affordable prices, those same amps now are fetching a lot more (and are more than I'm willing to spend on something that needs a complete rebuild).
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Everything I have is from the thrift. I am happy. That's all that really matters.

(I am going to let one desirable vintage amp go, but I doubt the money will go towards something else unless it's on the fly)
 
E2 said:
Everything I have is from the thrift. I am happy. That's all that really matters.
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I had budget new purchase from the only local B & M and was happy with it until a friend sent a good higher end amplifier home with me to try.
 
opnly bafld said:
I had budget new purchase from the only local B & M and was happy with it until a friend sent a good higher end amplifier home with me to try.
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Running Totem Mani 2's (sitting on top of Yamaha NS 1000's that also came from the thrift) with a Denon 980 R. $50 in all and I am happy. Sure I would like a Musical Fidelity amp, or something like it, but nah.

A few vintages pieces laying around.......more than happy. Never know when another piece may turn up for a hard to believe price.

I never buy new.
 
E2 said:
Running Totem Mani 2's
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Since they are compound isobaric and go below 4 ohms, the Mani 2s might be a good example of you don't know what you are missing until you hear it. Some speakers (especially those that demand a little more from an amp) sound good with a good amp, but can sound even better with a special amp.
 
opnly bafld said:
Since they are compound isobaric and go below 4 ohms, the Mani 2s might be a good example of you don't know what you are missing until you hear it. Some speakers (especially those that demand a little more from an amp) sound good with a good amp, but can sound even better with a special amp.
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No doubt. I have had a lot of stuff, but I really like this set up. I have continuously read how hard the Mani's are to drive but have not found that to be remotely true. Now if I want to drive them to some max volume level I would need more than the Denon. That series of Denon Amps are underrated and can give a lot of power. Clean, quiet power (The point of this thread I assume). I rarely have the Denon turned past the 9 O'clock position..........

When I found the Mani's I had them hooked up to a NAD 7140 briefly, and they sounded great with that little receiver.


Spending thousands on an amp is not in the cards. Finds are tough anymore, but I never know.......
 
E2 said:
Clean, quiet power (The point of this thread I assume).
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I don't think so.

E2 said:
I rarely have the Denon turned past the 9 O'clock position..........
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Volume control position is about system gain, not how much available wattage is being used.
The Denon is good for what it is and no doubt can meet spec, but the 4 ohm rating is at 1k, not full bandwidth iirc.
 
If ya don't hear a difference between power amps, then, good for you! Unfortunately, I do. And it costs me money. But, unless I go to tubes, I finally have the right amp for my system, and my ears. And it really didn't cost that much. If ya think I'm delusional, because I say I can hear a difference between my MOSFET amp and my BJT amp, that's cool. And ya may be right, cuz I can hear a difference between other things, too. I can tell which tubes are in my preamp. I can hear a difference between some phono-preamps, too. With good speakers, I can hear a difference between 16ga and 10ga wire. Big deal.

ALL decent amps sound BASICALLY the same. People tend to leave that part out. There is such a thing as average performance, when talking about amps as a specific component. If you have average, there must be Soundesign, sorry, sorry, BELOW average, and, by deduction, that implies ABOVE average. This is simple arithmetic.

It also stands to reason that there are SO many different amps, and amp designs, out there, precisely because people can hear a difference between them.

Spend less, not hearing a difference. It bothers me not. But, don't tell me I can't hear a difference. I'll laugh in your face.......
 
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E2 said:
............
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You need more exposure. Mani2s respond well to a solid amplifier. You would be amazed. What most people describe as "clean" is usually pretty lean, as in an amplifier not delivering the goods. Especially at modest volumes
 
hopeless said:
You need more exposure. Mani2s respond well to a solid amplifier. You would be amazed. What most people describe as "clean" is usually pretty lean, as in an amplifier not delivering the goods. Especially at modest volumes
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No, when I say clean no background hiss of any kind when you aren't listening to music like you get with vintage units.

Both my Sansui AU 919, and Yamaha CR 2040 did/do this. And a myriad of other vintage pieces I had did this.

I have no idea how many watts the Denon is pushing when at the 9 position. It sounds great, and drives the Mani's effortlessly. So I can't say I really care.

I have heard Musical Fidelity, Bryston, Hegel, Parasound and Mcintosh. Sure they were great. They better be. They cost enough.

I really wanted the A308 by MF, but now there are even better offerings by them. Still, I would never spend it.

Something will turn up. It always does..........
 
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