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Do all SS amplifiers sound alike?

Do all solid state amplifiers sound alike?

  • Yes

    Votes: 19 12.1%

  • No

    Votes: 138 87.9%
  • Total voters
    157
I have an Adcom gfa-555ii as my main amp, and it sounds great. After reading both owner's manuals, and other online info, the improvements that Walt Morrey made to Nelson's Mark 1 series was some improved components, some extra heat sink and ventilation additions, and a beefier power supply.
From what I've heard the 555 sounds great, and my 555ii also sounds great. If there's never any difference, and I really don't know if there is, it makes me wonder why they bother doing most of the improvements in the first place. Just marketing potential?

Dave
 
david1111 said:
I have an Adcom gfa-555ii as my main amp, and it sounds great. After reading both owner's manuals, and other online info, the improvements that Walt Morrey made to Nelson's Mark 1 series was some improved components, some extra heat sink and ventilation additions, and a beefier power supply.
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I don't think NP approves, but he may indicate that Adcom IHO "Muntzed" his original concept.
 
Nobody likes other people messing with their original designs. It pisses them off. But progress is progress.
A lot of the designers of other products have felt the same way over the years.
 
Pio1980 said:
My ears tell me, otherwise it would be the Marantz hands down on looks.
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On one of my trips to Harry's circa '01, he was comparing VTL Wotans to Edge Signatures on the big Nolas. I had heard of neither brand previously and thus had no preconceived notions. The Edge amps were simply drop dead gorgeous! From the countersunk bolts to the laser engraved chassis and backlit front panel, it looked the part of being $30,000 worth of amplifiers. Sound quality was exceptional.

edge.jpg


edgerear.jpg


From Margot Robbie, we went to Rosie O'Donnell with the Wotans situated behind them. Comparatively rough steel chassis with exposed completely ordinary screws. No cool lighting. Frumpy overall appearance as compared to the Edge.

wotan_rear.jpg


Then we played the same music. I made a purchase decision on that trip. Which brand do you think I chose?
 
Wow! They must be great. I'd love to hear them, but I don't imagine I'll ever have that kind of spare cash.
I've settled on a used X250.5 as an upgrade at some point. But my Adcom sounds so nice in the system, theres no rush.

Dave
 
E-Stat said:
On one of my trips to Harry's circa '01, he was comparing VTL Wotans to Edge Signatures on the big Nolas. I had heard of neither brand previously and thus had no preconceived notions. The Edge amps were simply drop dead gorgeous! From the countersunk bolts to the laser engraved chassis and backlit front panel, it looked the part of being $30,000 worth of amplifiers. Sound quality was exceptional.

edge.jpg


edgerear.jpg


From Margot Robbie, we went to Rosie O'Donnell with the Wotans situated behind them. Comparatively rough steel chassis with exposed completely ordinary screws. No cool lighting. Frumpy overall appearance as compared to the Edge.

wotan_rear.jpg


Then we played the same music. I made a purchase decision on that trip. Which brand do you think I chose?
Click to expand...
Aww ... "WOW!!! Nuff said! :)
 
david1111 said:
Wow! They must be great. I'd love to hear them, but I don't imagine I'll ever have that kind of spare cash.
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Few folks do. Certainly not me either. But products like that exist and they really don't sound like a $300 Crown amp with the same power.

I would love to hear a comparison of those vs. VTL Siegfrieds vs Audio Research REF750s on the nine foot tall version of my stats. :)
 
E-Stat said:
Actually, I doubt seriously that NP thought anything of it. He simply sold them schematics - and they were never his best work.
Click to expand...
He gets fairly regular questions about it at his DIY forum, seems a lot of folks think there's an association.
He also later penned a couple MOSFET amps for Adcom.
I have an expanded Aleph 'F' knockoff awaiting an audition when I can tear myself away from the Muse.
 
In my experience, no.

In particular, how different amps react to peaks is quite audible. I mostly listen to rock music and blues. Faster paced songs with a lot of bass or a drummer heavy on the kick drum is what I focus on while evaluating amps.

Most amps can reproduce the first kick drum hit but a second one (or a string of them) in rapid succession causes some amps to sag. The term I often hear is "muddy bass".

All SS amps don't have the same slew rate, damping factor or current capabilities, even if they fall under the same wattage rating.
 
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