2. amps-preamps
  3. 147886-11297

Should an amp have a "personality"?

I currently have a SimAudio W-7 amp.  If there is a word to describe its sound, it would be NEUTRALITY precisely capitalized.  I mean it is neutral to a fault.  It's NOT warm, or bright, or analytical, or sweet, or anything that might be misconstrued as a personality.  It's just "IS".  It has nothing that would offend me but nothing that is endearing either.  I suppose some people may like this type of sound.  I also have another SimAudio Moon W-3 amp, and although it is neutral, but it has a distinct personality of being slightly forward, slightly upfront and ultimately more interesting to listen to.  

At this point, I am a bit disappointed what the W7 is not "FOR".  I want its sound to be FOR something be it slightly warm, or forward, or a touch bright or something that is a bit interesting even if it is a flaw.  It's like a politician who wouldn't say he's for something at the risk of offending his potential voters.  

PASS Labs amps are known to be a bit warm in the bass along with all their class A type of sound just as tube amps but they somehow make music sings.  
andy2
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Hmmm  Sins of omission vs Sins of commission...
andy2 OP
1,586 posts
 
Our hearing is too complicated and the English language is not adequate to characterize our hearing perceives sound and music.  

If we can't agree on the meaning of the word "neutrality" then it's hard to move to the next phase.  If "neutrality" does not exist, then why do professional reviewers keep using the word?  Is it the best they can do?

Of course there are others who believe "neutrality" does not exist because every single component such as an amp has its own distinct sound therefore by definition is not "neutral".  

Tube amps are the most "colorful" but for whatever reason most people believe they are most truthful in term of reproducing music.  Too bad they cost too much lols.  Hey like they say, you have to pay to play.
jetter
3,112 posts
 
andy2, I am not sure why you say tube amps cost "too much".  Its my experience that they are no more expensive, in general, than SS amps.  You can go to the extremes in all types of amps. 
andy2 OP
1,586 posts
 
jetter,

For example, if I need a tube amp that has the same drive as the W7, I would probably have to spend a lot of money.  Of course I could get a 40W tube amp but that won't be enough for most applications.
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,055 posts
 
@andy2 

I agree. There's a difference between "neutrality" as an absolute theoretical and as a subjective impression. Either an amp in our system sounds like it's neutral to us or it doesn't.

It should go without saying that there is no component that ever existed that did not have a "personality". That's baked in to its DNA, whether by design or accident. That's a given.

I don't think we should exclude the discussion of a neutrality in the theoretical sense, it obviously might well be useful technically to understand as much as possible what might contribute, but I don't think that a conversation that starts with subjective impression should be prevented from concluding with the same. We might discuss amp theoretical neutrality all day long, but will it help us to identify the next likely amp candidate to try that might tic all the neutrality boxes for anyone subjectively.

As to your response to jetter's comment, have you considered trying higher efficiency speakers?
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