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Class "A" sound, as related to Stereophile.


It's all about the sound.

It's all about sound, not how much it cost; when I got into "high end", I knew right off the bat I couldn't afford it, but I had to find one thing for sure; how do the various components sound in regard to Stereophile's classes, or ratings? In order to know this; I had to acquire the ability to identify "Stereophile's" class "A" class "B" and class "C" sounds, and the only way to do that was: first, subscribe to Stereophile, and next was to go to every high end audio salon within driving distance; there were 5 well stocked "high end" salons within driving distance. (Since I didn't take my wife, that created some problems)

After a few years of subscribing to Stereophile, plus auditioning equipment that Stereophile recommended, I knew the sound of those recommendations, and I absolutely concurred with them; "If you want to hear the music, you got to pay the piper". While that's true, it's possible to get class "A" sound with class "B" bucks or less.

At this moment, I am looking at 8 capacitors that cost $25 dollars each, plus 2 mono blocks with an instant resale value of 6K. Once I take the covers off and go in with my soldering iron, these mono blocks are worth a resell of O; my mission must be a success. After a successful mission, the resell is still 0; but those mono blocks will deliver class "A" or "A"+ sound, and that's some sweet music.

I have to visualize and hear music in my head before I can modify a component to deliver class "A" sound; but that's the only way for me to get what has become a necessity.

The pressure someone is under when they modify, is great, but the rewards are glorious. On these mono blocks, they are too small for the huge capacitors, therefore I have to figure a way to make the case larger. My reward is "sound" with absolutely no relation to money. I often wander if someone with a fat bankroll can identify the sound, or only how much they paid for each piece.


Happy listening.

orpheus10
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Erik, it's good to hear that. These big name brands evolve over the years from their "signature sound", therefore an audition is absolutely necessary before you buy.

Some thoughts on "Stereophile's" classification system; they rest their foundation on that, while people might criticize, if they found something truly substantial wrong with the ratings, that would be a black eye for the magazine.

Sometime a component will rate "B" in one issue, and "C" in the next issue, and then return to "B". This means that component is "borderline B", and from my experience, is always a good buy; consequentially, I will quite often own that component. Good buys are rare in the high end.

The widest range of products exist in Class "A"; that is also where you can find the widest range of prices. "Koetsu" is the only really high priced high end cartridge I have ever auditioned, and it was magnificent. I don't recall which one, but I'm glad I remembered that because there are other cartridges in Class "A" that get recommended more, and I was considering one of them without ever having heard it.

That's an option we are faced with far too often; I'm going to take my own medicine and go with what I know; "Koetsu" if I'm ever in that position.

I will do my best to offer advice on components I know about that have been rated by "Stereophile". This is not a recommendation for the magazine, just a point of reference that we both can relate to.

No one understands better than me, about audiophiles with limited "pocketbooks", and I have no problem admitting it. Now to go along with that problem; "How are you going to audition the thing", is another problem. One option I can think of, is to buy a lesser priced model used, and sell it back for what you paid for it. You can usually rely on the current "signature sound"; that is the most important element in cartridges.


Enjoy the music.


dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
"I’m going to take my own medicine and go with what I know; "Koetsu" if I’m ever in that position."

o, if there ever was a category completely ruled by subjectivity according to sonic taste and system synergy, it is that of cartridges. There are so many great ones out there that it is indeed daunting to pick one, and, subsequent to that, a never ending journey seeking the opitmal associated equipment to enhance its ability to deliver sonic bliss. The elusive Holy Grail of audio.

Best to you o,
Dave

orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Dave, truer words were never spoken; each man has to find his own "Holy Grail" when it comes to cartridges; "Grado" is the poor man's "Koetsu"; that's part of my "Holy Grail".

Where we are now, is the common ground; while we might take different paths, we're all trying to reach the same destination, which is why I'm glad I wound up where we are, in regard to room treatment.


Enjoy the music.
helomech
1,706 posts
 
I tend to compare audio classes to automotive classes.

One can spend $400K on a Lambo Aventador and take a very fast, thrilling drive around the Nurburgring, or someone can buy a $100K Nissan GTR, and get similar numbers. The drive is just as thrilling, but in a different way. Invariably, some will prefer the GTR over the Lambo and vice versa.

Class A speakers come in a wide cost range. $1200 for some KEF LS50s and $200,000 for the Wilson Alexandria. 

To me, Class A means that if these speakers were cars, they'd both be capable of putting huge grins on the faces of most drivers. The KEF LS50 being the Nissan GTR of the speaker world, and the Wilsons being a Bugatti Veyron.

Then you have Class B components. These might be compared to a BMW M5 or Corvette Z06. Different rides for different tastes, but both can be highly enjoyable. They're just a few horsepower short of some of the best, but few, if any automotive magazine editors would dare call them slow. 


Class C components: these might be a Ford Focus ST or VW Golf R. Again, almost any automotive editor would consider these fun to drive, but of course a Ferrari F50 would blow them off the road. 

Thats's how I think Stereophile intends their Class ABCD system to be considered. It's intended to help listeners narrow down which components they might want to test drive.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Helomech, I never thought of the rating system in that fashion, but that is a very good analogy. Class "C" will get you from here to there, but not in luxury, or exceedingly fast.

Class "B" is most desirable, and can get you from here to there, very fast, and in a degree of luxury that would be quite comfortable.

While Class "A" would put a grin on any Audiophile's face, most certainly, all Audiophile's would not be able to afford it.


Enjoy the music.
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