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Do all solid state amps sound the same?

G

Gudstufshevy

Art
I've heard it alledged that all modern amps sound the same. I'm going to keep my opinion to myself (for a bit). In researching a Jbl receiver for sale locally, I stumbled across a thread on another forum (AVS). The point was that in a double blind test listeners couldn't identify one amp from another, assuming that the amps were performing correctly and within their power range. According to several posters those that perceived a difference were biased by factors other than sound.

Let's agree that tubes sound different, not better, not worse, but most if not all of us can tell tube from solid state on "revealing" speakers.

I ask this question here not to incite a flame war or start a debate. I'm just curious if there is some agreement. Your responces are greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance.
 
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Don't you know that everything sounds the same? Amps, cables, cd players, cartridges, turntables even speakers. If you claim to hear a difference you are delusional :D
 
No there is always differences somehow

Oh wow, well that can depend. I know the technics dolby surround I purchased like over 10 years ago new. Does not sound anything like my Denon dolby digital I purchased refurbed about 3 years ago. Using the same speakers and other misc items. Tape deck, etc. But then on top of that when I hooked up a pioneer laserdisc and played audio via the digital out. What a difference. But see my technics doesn't have digital in. Then also the difference between the two is the technics has a preset surround sound setting and a bass/trebble knob. A reason I purchased the technics back then. Plus it has a phonon input. The new denon does not have a bass/trebble knob. It is all preset eq. Then to add the vintage sansui receiver into the mix. A big difference. A nice warm sound. So it all makes a difference. The funny part is. You can peice together a great system. Tape deck by one mfg, receiver or amp or combo from another and come up with all different types of listening.

Josh
 
Audio Mythology Revealed

I've heard it alledged that all modern amps sound the same.
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Myth #1

How many SS amplifier manufacturers are there? Would there still be that many if they all sounded the "same"?

My own 2 cents: Many SS amplifiers have distinguishable sonic characteristics, some by chance/fate, some deliberately by design.

Let's agree that tubes sound different, not better, not worse, but most if not all of us can tell tube from solid state on "revealing" speakers.
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Myth #2

You might enjoy reading "The Carver Challenge" http://www.stereophile.com/features/the_carver_challenge/

Just my .02........................................
 
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I really would like to move past cables, and wires... So let's assume the use of a "reference" cable and wires to be used on all systems, only difference being the amp. Not to be rude, but I accept that everything makes a difference in the chain, but just the amp.

Again I ask, if you have designed/built amps, is there such a thing as "voicing" an amp?

And by the way a big THANK YOU! To all. This is the best and friendliest forum of it's kind.

Thanks,
Art
 
All amps are made with different componets, wires, and circuits.. .so if a cable externally to an amp can change the sound, how would you think a different amp doesn't sound different?
 
Gudstufshevy said:
I've heard it alledged that all modern amps sound the same...most if not all of us can tell tube from solid state on "revealing" speakers.

I ask this question here not to incite a flame war or start a debate. I'm just curious if there is some agreement. Your responces are greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

There is not agreement on either of those two statements.

I have more than one solid state amp/receiver, and they clearly do not all sound the same when connected to the same pair of "revealing" speakers.

I have quite a few SS and tube pieces of equipment, and I can easily pick out one tube amp and one solid state amp that sound essentially alike when used with the same pair of speakers.

Generalities are almost always false since the sole purpose of generalities is to ignore the specifics.
 
My take on the matter is that as we move forward with smaller die sizes or more efficient ways of making semiconductors, that there will be a select few companies manufacturing the integrated circuits required in an amplifier--or even whole ready-to-go modules--then these will be bought up and installed as per the manufacturers suggestions. Specs will converge and as a result they will all sound alike, except they'll look different.

Price point may be the determining factor--a b/s iPod amp will sound nothing like a $10000 Luxman, which in turn will sound nothing like a Gainclone--but within their own family of products (crap, discreet, all-in-one, Burr-Brown chipsets, etc) I think that one would be hard-pressed to hear any audible difference (and here's the key--) using the same speakers).


Just my personal opinions, however.
 
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Yep. Emerson, Soundesign, XAM, and Technical Pro sound identical to Halcro, Spectral, Krell, and Boulder. Save your money!:thmbsp:
 
My thoughts are that solid state amps sound more alike than not...presuming they are working in their range. I think there might be small nuanced differences with them (class A solid state verses class D).

I think (and I'm just making this up to illustrate my thought) that you might get a 10% variance in sound with different amps but, you can get a 90% difference in sound with different speakers. So the difference in amps is inconsequential in the larger scale of things.

This is why I've always felt it's a speakers first, electronics second kind of thing.
 
If both amps are of similar quality, I doubt that I myself could hear the difference.

Amps are NOT transducers. Both the input and output are electric analog signals. This is a fairly simple function, usually not very hard to get it right. Sound quality differences might show up with different designs (class A, class AB, etc.), build quality, power supply design, electronic component selection, and/ or other factors.

Other components in the audio change are what's called transducers (mics, turntables, CD players, tape decks, speakers). They change one form of energy into another (e.g., changing air pressure, needle vibration, digital laser signal, or magnetic field to electric analog signals). Speakers change electric analog signals to air pressure. This is much harder to get right. Some might say it's best to spend your money here.

PS: Oh yeah, I forgot :lurk:
 
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All amps do not sound the same. The better they are, the less you hear them. But many if not most amps make their presence known.

The differences may be small to some people, and huge to others. It depends on what you listen for, what you listen to, and the rest of your system. I think the source and preamp make a bigger difference in the sound. As far as speakers, I don't think you can separate their performance from the amp. One is tied to the other and what speakers you have can influence what kind of amp you have.
 
Again I ask, if you have designed/built amps, is there such a thing as "voicing" an amp?
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I haven't personally, but i know Bob Carver has built a few, and i'm fairly certain that some have been intentionally "voiced" to mimmic other much costlier amplifiers. You might research his "TFM" series, probably a good deal of info right within the walls of AK.
 
THe 400 watt Peavey SS PA amp I tried out about 25 years ago sure as Hell had it's own sound and not a good one either.
 
I actually had an old Peavey cs800, nothing "transparent" about those things eh? Kinda like having an 800 lb. Gorilla in the room. (with a 60 hz hum most of the time).

I'm kinda playin devils advocate here, but while I see how better components and wires add to the build quality, and obviously allow for more power especially at higher output. The root of the question is in how they reproduce sound within their range of dynamics.

In someones example (Spl) Emerson or Soundesign vs Krell or something high end. Seems like you'd have to compare them at pretty low power at which point; does the high end stuff sound that different at 1 or 2 watts? Assuming were not hooking up a pair of Apogees to an emerson. I'm thinking maybe to level the field we might want to stick with an 8 ohm load or so?

I remember readin a thread about somebody here having a blind test comparing several amps but couldn't find it when I searched anybody got a link?

And thanks for the link to the carver challenge I remember reading that years ago, I just about totally dismiss stereophile as a rag though.
 
No one can say that all amplifiers sound alike, because no one has heard all amplifiers. I've gone through a lot of equipment and although some of my stuff has sounded the same to me, some hasn't. I don't believe that I am more discerning than most people, in this regard.

I'm amazed that "Carver's Challenge" was printed, as it seems to represent a triumph of science over magic, but not at all surprised they declined to do blind testing, much less double blind tests. Their arguments against blind tests are easily overcome by investing a little time and undergoing some inconvenience.

Nobody feels bad for the plumber who digs through **** and employs a helper, after all, it's his job. Well, the same could be said about these reviewers.
 
The only "real" answer is for you to try some of this testing for yourself. Asking a forum will get you no clearer understanding.

Even the premise of the question is leading. "Do all amps sound the same?" Clearly the answer is no, or as someone else said, there is no answer because nobody will be able to try all amps.

However, "At what point can the typical, stereo-inclined Joe differentiate the sound of amps?" is a completely different question, and is more the real point of the often mis-quoted "all amps sound the same" thing.
 
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