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Silky and soft highs: product of coloration?

Hi folks this is a bit controversial topic. I know some amplifiers (and some very expensive ones too!) have a very silky and soft presentation of the (upper) treble. I'm wondering if this silky presentation can be considered as a hallmark of quality for amplifiers or rather a sort of coloration that makes the upper treble soft and "pretty". In my opinion I can divide amplifiers in two groups: one group (the largest) with "ordinary" treble response (not very pretty) and the other group that consists of only a handful of amplifiers (both solid state and tube) with a refined and silky treble. The contenders within this last group are alas too expensive for mere mortals. This brings me to another question: is such a refined and silky treble only to be had with megabuck amplifiers?
I consider the Anne-Sophie Mutter recording "Carmen Fantasie" as the ultimate test recording for treble sweetness. If the amplifier sounds just "ordinary" with this recording (especially where the violin plays in the upper register) then the amplifier is not "refined" enough.

Chris
dazzdax
phd
1,324 posts
 
Still think the amp is the most important component in the system. The type of speakers you own plus personal tastes will have a big influence on the type of amplification you may choose.

Any one of us could build a system around a good sounding amp via trial & error with interconnects/cabling, trying different preamps, tayloring the sound to the desired outcome. Soft highs could be a by-product of coloration which sounds desirable to some but not considered accurate.

I'm currently using a McCormack 0.5 Revision A and know by past experience with the stock amp the Revision A in itself has refined this amp by removing the grit and grain in the upper registers but still preserving its dynamics & increasing transparency, midrange is uncanny. It does need to be fed other quality components to fully realize its potential as so with other high end amps. I will have to say that this amp is very accurate and extended no way soft or colored but still sweet and detailed.

In conclusion & giving a choice I will opt for silky highs but not soft highs but maybe not prefering either.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Agree with Sogood...most people...including myself...spend way too much time fiddling with amps...but hey...its nuerotic fun!...
phd
1,324 posts
 
Phasecorrect, there you go sir, there is nothing wrong with fiddling with amps, its all a progression of a nuerotic hobby just as you mentioned. Keep listening to those tunes!
dazzdax OP
599 posts
 
The reason why people are thinking that you shouldn't spend that much money on power amplifiers is: they have never heard how world's best power amplifiers sound! 90% of the amplifiers sound the same, that's why it will never become obvious with 90% of all audiophiles that the power amplifier is in fact a major determinant for the final sound quality. In this regards I would like to address to some of the world's best amplifiers, like FM Acoustics, Soulution, Boulder, Rey Audio, DartZeel(?), LAMM, Cello Performance, Audio Research REF600, etc.

Chris
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
The amp is only one link in a system's synergy. I agree with Jaybo's points and in addition I have found that the cabling being used also has a prominent role in a system's sound quality.
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