Why Don't We See More High Current Electronics?


It seems that in looking around for amplifiers and integrated amps that double their power as the impedance is halved (high current), they seem to be in a minority. Is it just more costly to build good-sounding high current electronics and the market demand for them just isn't there, or what?
foster_9
Yeah, we've had this discussion before. Same old same old. Lots of assertions, but no supporting data. Negative feedback is bad because it causes time-domain distortion, distortions we can measure aren't important

Of course there is plenty of supporting data, and the distortions we are talking about *can* be measured, as well as heard.

high output impedance doesn't really affect frequency response linearity.

I don't know where you got that but you did not hear that from me. In fact the whole point of that paper (which now I am guessing you did not read) is that you have to **pay attention** to these things to **prevent** errors in 'frequency response linearity'.

so very high current amps are mostly for people that have more money than sense (like me).

Tube amps are for people even more skewed towards money than sense. ;-)

So, are you saying here that you have a tube amp in your future?? :)
Yes, factor in the ability to handle transients as well as the more macro dynamic/loudness aspects and the case for making sure your amp does not break a sweat doing it's job one way or another goes way up.

I'm not an expert on amp design by any stretch, but what I do know based on experience and reading tells me in my gut that this is the right approach.
So, are you saying here that you have a tube amp in your future?? :)

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I can't imagine it. ;-) But after reading your website and reading so many of your posts I wish it wasn't such a PITA to listen to what your amps, which have a design I wouldn't normally consider, would sound like compared to my Levinson amps. Unlike properly designed speaker cables, power cords, and the like, I suspect there could be audible differences, though I more strongly suspect that these differences would be coloration, not greater accuracy. Nonetheless, even a curmudgeon like me occasionally succumbs to curiosity.

You can get the exact same current delivery for a given load without the expense of an amp that doubles its power when the impedance is halved. It's true that such an amp, depending on its power capabilities, could accomodate a wider range of speakers, but in general it's unnecessary.

Which would you prefer, a 250 watt amp into 8 ohms that doubles into 4 ohms or a 600 watt amp into 8 ohms that produces 900 watts into 4 ohms? -03-14-11: Bob_reynolds

Errr ...ahhhh.... Hmmm.. the one that doubles thank you ...

regards,
03-15-11: Atmasphere

Why not ask what the relationship is between doubling power and how your ear/brain system hears? The short answer is that you get flatter frequency response, but only with certain speakers. This comes with a price- distortions that the ear is extremely sensitive to. The ear hears these distortions as a variation (coloration) in frequency response! So in a way, you can't win with the explanation of flat frequency response.

- Atmasphere

LOL .. Deja vu Ralph ?