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How far have ss amps really come in the last twenty years?

I have owned and enjoyed my Jeff Rowland model 8 ( recently modded and upgraded by Jeff to the last version) for many years. I recently had the opportunity of comparing it ( after mods) to a few of the current ss models from Gamut, D'Agostino, YBA, Parasound, Sim audio, CH precision, Constellation,PS audio,Pass Labs  and Musical Fidelity. The results were very interesting, because to my ears and in the systems that we did the comparison, the Rowland held its own against all but the most expensive D'Ag and CH amps. Even those were only very slightly outclassing the Rowland in the areas of top end resolution...and a tad in the bottom end resolution. Now the thing is that the last revision to the Rowland 8 was designed by Jeff over ten years ago! 
So, my question for those more technically inclined than myself is...how far has the design of ss amps come in the last ten...or even twenty years? 
128x128daveyf
ahofer
225 posts
 
Alan Shaw would say there is very little new in amplifiers. Indeed, amplification technology is widely used and optimized for many purposes, not just audio, and is more or less a "solved" problem. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, this thread will show you some of his thinking. https://www.harbeth.co.uk/usergroup/forum/subjective-soundings-your-views-on-audio/electronics-sources-stands-cables-accessories/amplifier-discussion/2390-the-last-words-on-audio-amplifiers-jan-2015

And if you disagree, and can prove an audible difference under his conditions (gain matching), he's offering a pair of his top-of-the-line speakers (see the first few posts).  
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
And if you disagree, and can prove an audible difference under his conditions (gain matching), he's offering a pair of his top-of-the-line speakers (see the first few posts).  
That sounds nice. Might run short on speakers after a while...

Like shooting fish in a barrel. Do you have to fly to England to do the shootout?


mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
I will take this challenge. It would be difficult for me, or anyone for that matter, to convince anyone else that differences are heard, unless they heard it too. If I were doing the amp comparison through my own system, in my own room, with my own selected music, I would, and have, each and every time, hear differences. Mr. Shaw seems to say, if the circuit is the same, distortions are kept at a minimum, impedances match, and the amps are working comfortably within their limits, the 10K amp, with all of it's better parts, more heavy duty chassis, larger power supply, etc., will not sound better, or even different. Wow, is all I can say, if I read, and interpreted correctly, all that I read. Does this mean Harbeth speakers use inexpensive crossover components, because Mr. Shaw hears no difference in better capacitors, etc ? As far as a system I am not familiar with ( different equipment, room, etc. ) ? As long as I am given enough time to listen and evaluate this system, using my own selected music, sign me up ! Enjoy ! MrD.
ahofer
225 posts
 
Excellent. Let us all know how it goes!  In fact, if you do succeed, it will certainly be worth a write-up in the audio publication of your choosing.
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
wolf, I had no idea if roberjerman was in a band, nor am I claiming hearing loss of any band members, as I was a singer in a band. But for someone as he, to claim, differences in amplifiers do not exist ( and to have a " collection " of them ), must have listening or hearing issues, or systems not hi def enough to notice. Tell me your Schiit pre and Had amp does not sound better ( if not better, at least different ) than your previous gear ( you bought this gear before the Heresy 111s ). Differences exist, and that is all. Enjoy ! MrD.
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