Do all solid state amps sound the same?

[charles 1973]

IMO, Solid state amps may or may not have different sound signature when kept out of clipping, Either by design or by default. I believe the engineers that design an amplifier, With the right resources can give an amplifier the sound signature any manufacturer desires.

That said, most SS amp manufacturers probably try not to stray too far off a neutral sound in terms of Timbre and dynamics. Small differences may complement some speaker designs, While some amps may not optimize the potential others.

For example, I'm partial to Energy speakers. My RC30 towers have an abundance of low and mid bass, So when paired with my recent Yamaha RX A770 AVR are a perfect match thanks to Yamaha's slightly lean sound signature. Bass is clean and tight. While using an amp with a neutral or darker sound might make them sound blotted.

While speakers that tend to be bright with limited bass may not sound their best using the same AVR. Using its YPAO EQ however might mitigate that some.

 

[Apreggiator]

Nice dead horse to beat this thead.

Try two different First Watt models if you think Solid State amps can't sound different.

On the other hand Solid State amps can also sound similar..
Similarity in sound (or not) depends on similarity in the design topology (or not) and componentry used..

Current personal experience: My Teac sounds tight across the board, my PA amps sound undefined in the bass regions with some recordings in comparison..

 

[Natasha Bell]

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.

You know, I know that this thread is fifteen years old, but I just have to scratch my head when someone asks: "do all modern amps sound the same". It is like someone asking if fresh-brewed coffee is hot. Yet, I think the original author may not have asked the correct question: Are there modern solid state amps that sound as good, or better than tube amps?

I personally don't like tube amps for a variety of reasons, nor do I find their sound (especially for the genera of music that I primarily listen to) all that pleasing at times. Yet, I would not be disinclined to try a tube-based preamp. While it might very well be true that many cannot tell the difference between one amp and another under ideal, controlled circumstances, in more dynamic music those differences become immediately apparent. For example: My Adcom GFA-565 monoblocs sound very much like the GFA-545 amp at moderate volume levels, although the 545 would be working much harder than the 565s. When the volume goes up and bass is prominent, what had once been a very clear reproduction with the 545 becomes less clear, while the 565s just continue with stunning clarity and separation.

 

[Quadman2]

Depends!

Depends on whose ears are listening. Bottom line!


Q

 

[Mr Boochie]

IMO, Solid state amps may or may not have different sound signature when kept out of clipping, Either by design or by default. I believe the engineers that design an amplifier, With the right resources can give an amplifier the sound signature any manufacturer desires.

A good power reserve for the music, speaker, and room acoustics demands. Additionally, a clean slew rate during a dynamic crescendo is essential for any good amplifier — whether tube or solid-state.

 

[rickb119]

I would not be disinclined to try a tube-based preamp.

Go to post #27. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/the-class-d-chip-amps.1082266/page-2

Based on his recommendation, I bought one and am listening to it now. I'd previously used a Schiit Saga, and thought I was happy with it. Well, I was, until I put the Zero Zone in place. WOW! More detail/clarity/definition/separation/tighter bass and so on. If fact, like @SWL3600, I just ordered another to have as a backup, just in case. I like it that much.

 

[justjed2]

Do all solid state amps sound the same? No. If they did, we'd all be using whatever was the cheapest crap out there, because it wouldn't sound any better, or any worse, than any other amp.

And, if they did, the original question would be 'WHY do all solid state amps sound the same?'

 

[Semanon]

…using whatever was the cheapest crap out there,

That’s my theme song!

JK…they sound different. Better? Your call.

 

[Semanon]

And, if they did, the original question would be 'WHY do all solid state amps sound the same?'

A philosopher’s question!

 

[justjed2]

I'm not a philosopher. My Odyssey doesn't sound the same as my Soundcratftsmen, which sounds different from a pair of Marantz MA-500 mono-blocks. The answer to the original question, in one listening session.

 

[Genov]

No

 

[jobrewer1983]

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.

In theory, but that’s a bunch of BS.
And I don’t agree, I think tubes sound better… lol I’ll just throw that out there.

 

[bluesky]

No - of course not.

Different circuits, different components, different engineers, different R&D, different goals -- different sound.

 

[hopeless]

Do all solid state amps sound the same? No. If they did, we'd all be using whatever was the cheapest crap out there, because it wouldn't sound any better, or any worse, than any other amp.

And, if they did, the original question would be 'WHY do all solid state amps sound the same?'

If they all sound the same, it's due to an inability or unwillingness to actually listen. I invited my now wife over after a couple of dates. I had her sit in the "sweet spot" as I made dinner. (Salmon Oscar) I kid you not, her words and intonations were pretty close to "When Harry met Sally." About 4 years ago, I bought and Electrocompaniet AW100 from a guy in Alaska. We swapped out a Bryston 4BST for the Electrocompaniet and we stayed up until 2 or 3 the next 3 nights listening to music. Everything was new again. I jokingly emailed the guy back telling him I might have to send the amp back because it was ruining my "beauty sleep." She's a keeper

 

[twiiii]

Well like anything designed by man amps as well as pre amps etc sound different. Because every designer and his team have different ideas what perfect sound should be. I loved Crown, Krell, Levinson amps for their tight bass but not so much for their austere midrange and highs. Mcintosh SS amps back in the early 70 some people found to warm, others said they seemed to have a vail over the sound. When the 7000 series came along, whether direct coupled like the 7200 and 7100 or with autoformers like the 7150, 7300, and 2600 had two basic similar but different sounds. The 7200 being more detailed in the low bass but very similar in the midrange range and lower highs till above 7,000 hz where the autoformer amps were bit smoother it seemed to me. Todays Mac SS amps are closer together be they like the MC 830 or the HT direct coupled amps versus the amps like the 311 or 462 or 301 or 611, etc that use autoformers to combine their Quad technology in some models. Just the use of updated SS devices can change the sound of different amps. Accuphase use Quad technology in their high powered amps but with out the autoformers and sound different too. They are famous for their continuous duty Class A amps which are not very efficient , but some listeners prefer their sound signature. Then there are Class D amplifiers that are much more efficient and make big power for much lower costs but some find the sound compressed, less dynamic and rather flat and dull. . The famous Krell and Bryston brands sound as different from each other as they do from other popular brands.

But then the difference may not be as much in the amps as how they react differently to different loud speakers with their very complex loads they present to the different amplifier types and models. So, yes, just like different tube amps SS amps can all sound different. Even from model to model of the same manufacturer. Does Ford V8 perform differently the a GM v8's or Chrysler V-8's? We all know they do. Just as different SS amps perform differently from others. Can you imagine back in the 70's getting 500 Hp out of a 327 Chevy engine. No way, but yet they get more than 500 HP today from smaller V-6 engines. Nothing stays the same or sounds the same!

 

[Apreggiator]

Nice dead horse to beat this thead.

At least we are adding quality thinking to what has been stated before.

 

[Mr Boochie]

At least we are adding quality thinking to what has been stated before.

And the horse is already dead.

 

[DeeCee]

I guess someone just saying "Nope." up front would have made this thread too short...

 

[Sandman1221]

In my limited experience, with 2 receivers and 3 different integrated amps over 45 yrs, is that at the Volume sweet spot, i.e., when amp is putting out enough power to drive the speakers, they all but one sounded the same with the "same speakers", the exception being a cheap receiver that sounded thin and that was due to it not being able to properly drive, unknown to me at the time, my 4 ohm speakers.

But at lower volumes, there were big differences in SQ, that could be corrected using Bass EQ on the Proton D540, but not on NAD 317 that had no Loudness or Bass EQ. Both of those amps ran hot too. On my Marantz Model 50 there is also no Bass EQ or Loudness but it does not need them, sounds great at lower volumes. The 50 is also the only amp I have owned that had a continuous 4 ohm RMS rating and as a result it only gets a little warm. So I now realize how important it is to have an amp that is rated to drive the speakers.

The store owner that sold me the EPI A500 speakers in 1983 did not tell me they were 4 ohm speakers, maybe he did not know, because the speakers did not indicate anywhere that they were 4 ohm. I bought the NAD 317 at a stereo store with a wall of receivers/ integrated amps, but the sales guy never asked me about my speaker ohm rating.

 

[baked_potato]

Do all solid state amps sound the same? No. If they did, we'd all be using whatever was the cheapest crap out there, because it wouldn't sound any better, or any worse, than any other amp.

Well... a lot of snake oil has been sold over the years. Many people actively look for ways to spend more money. Gear Acquisition Syndrome is a hobby in itself.

Not saying that this pertains specifically to amplifiers (which can absolutely be different), but just to point out that just because options exist at wildly different price points that does not, in itself, prove that there is measurable technical value.