Let me end the Premp/Amplifier sound debate ...
I'm old enough to remember Julian Hersch from Audio magazine and his very unscientific view that all amplifiers sounded the same once they met a certain threshold. Now the site Audio Science Review pushes the same.
I call these views unscientific as some one with a little bit of an engineering background as well as data science and epidemiology. I find both of these approaches limited, both in technology used and applied and by stretching the claims for measurements beyond their intention, design and proof of meaning.
Without getting too much into that, I have a very pragmatic point of view. Listen to the following three amplifier brands:
If you can't hear a difference, buy the cheapest amplifier you can. You'll be just as happy. However, if you can, you need to evaluate the value of the pleasure of the gear next to your pocket book and buy accordingly. I don't think the claim that some gear is pure audio jewelry, like a fancy watch which doesn't tell better time but looks pretty. I get that, and I've heard that. However, rather than try to use a method from Socrates to debate an issue to the exact wrong conclusion, listen for yourself.
If you wonder if capacitors sound different, build a two way and experiment for yourself. Doing this leaves you with a very very different perspective than those who haven't. You'll also, in both cases, learn about yourself. Are you someone who can't hear a difference? Are you some one who can? What if you are some one who can hear a difference and doesn't care? That's fine. Be true to yourself, but I find very little on earth less worthwhile than having arguments about measurements vs. sound quality and value.
To your own self and your own ears be true. And if that leads you to a crystal radio and piezo ear piece so be it. In my own system, and with my own speakers I've reached these conclusions for myself and I have very little concern for those who want to argue against my experiences and choices.
Well tube amps certainly seem to sound different than high current soild state through Heil AMTs and I’ve done videos that easily prove this. Everything was held the same. The Vanessa tracks are within 0.1 dB and the SRV are within 0.5 dB using pink noise as a source.
Your study wasn't big enough to prove anything. |
Is this a hobby,or contest? I enjoy quality musical reproduction. The only parameters that matter is how it sounds to my ears and brain. Like any hobby,there are many ways to go at it. Many different levels of enthusiasm. Many different budgets. Many,many different philosophies. I can honestly say,the only measurement that I pay attention to is the measurement of how far apart my speakers are,and the distance from boundaries. Monetarily speaking, I spend what I feel comfortable spending. No more,no less. |
"Oh, Erik....You're just being a party pooper...." 😏 Just teasing...I'm one of those recumbent wretches that finds more variance between speakers (The Obvious) rather than the pre's and the amps. @invalid ...I'm running 'large' ESS amt's as well, and everything I've driven them with essentially creates the same performance with only minor differences. One response in self I've noticed over time is that, when I've 'been away' from my pile of this 'n that, there's a 'readjustment' to my particular 'sound' as occurs. What occurs in the interval can be a lack of music, the dependence on automobile audio, or even just my cell into my bluetoothed aids... ...which is Precisely Why I don't try to comment on anyone else's system on a 'one time trial' basis.... I Don't Hear What You Do, no. Invite me for a weekend, and do nothing but....maybe.... We'll have to listen to what I like, which may drive you to distraction and a desire to hold me under until the bubbles stop....but, there it is...*L* Audio as a hobby and pursuit is so tied up to personal preferences I'm awed that we can agree on some things, but are willing to be on the verge of an alley knife dance on that we don't...best done through a screen with distance...*snicker* (I've my reservations about a meeting at an audio show that serves alcohol....*wry L*)
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