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What makes an amp sound more direct ?

In our hifi journey we have probably all heard amps with different topologies and implementation. Most of these amps would have an implementation which is a combination of one of these:

1. Single Ended
2. Push-pull
3. Balanced
4. Differentially Balanced
5. Class A, A/B, D
6. High/Low Damping factor
7. Zero Negative Feedback (global & local)
8. Low/Medium/High Negative feedback
9. 2/3/4/multiple gain stages

There will be more such items that can be added to the list. My curiosity arises from the fact that some amplifiers (or even preamplifiers) sound much more direct than others. The ones that does this trick generally seems to do the "they are here" trick very well. While the components which sound relatively indirect cast a sound scape which gives the perspective of "we are there".

Just from my observation, single ended and zero feedback designs sound much more direct than balanced designs especially ones with high negative feedback. Is this a coincidence or is there a valid reason behind this ? 
pani
pani OP
1,236 posts
 
apparently you've never heard a good OTL

That would be incorrect because most solid state amps are OTL. I also owned the Tenor 75 OTL.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Lotta ways to skin a cat in audio...as long as it does it for you!  The only way to compare system outcomes is to experience them firsthand.  Each of our individual biases and expectations can put us at opposite ends of the audio spectrum.  I remember listening to an audio associates system($100k Avalon/OTL/Walker etc).  He liked playing it at a very low volume level and the system used cabling that produced a hum that was clearly audible through the music.  Very quirky and frustrating to me....but he liked it!  I want to be immersed in the space of the event with all the dynamics and atmosphere intact.  Most "serious" audiophiles may be a little to anal for me...I like to turn it to 11 for both jazz and classical!!  Play on
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
You will not get consensus on this. There are many ways to get the "direct" effect, and it can be done quite well with nearly any type of amp. The key is the quality of the amp and the rest of the system. 

As far as the "you are there" or "they are here" discussion, imo it's fairly worthless. 

sbrownnw
717 posts
 
Kevlar and sometimes carbon fiber midrange drivers in spears. Usually too forward / direct for me. 
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
"You will not get consensus on this"

In our attempts to distinguish between live vs. reproduced and everything in between the two I would only say, "Ain't that the truth".

The issue of direct sound IME I would generally attribute to SET designs with little to zero feedback running VERY highly efficiency speakers, IMMOSTHO and certainly not with all music all the time. 
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