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
rksweet
38 posts
 
Why would/should an amplifier do anything more than amplify?

Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,579 posts
 
per·son·al·i·ty  NOUN  
the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.

What is the distintive character of your source, speakers and room?  Seems to me that the amp would be the 4th place I would look to infuse personality in a system.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Wanted to play some music last night but my amp was reticent.
Pushed, it started pulling. Push pull. Push pull.
Was about to unplug when a thunderous "NO!" came from the speakers.
With authority. Presence. Never heard it so forward before. My ears were ringing. Or was it the tubes? Sliding damper on, I could swear the amp began to hum. With pleasure. Liquid. Not syrupy, silky. Silky smooth. Yet at the same time, exciting. I slid another damper over a tube. This time, input tube. All the way. Really silky liquid now.

It runs hot and cold a bit, but I think I may be in love with my amp.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,974 posts
 

I agree with inna. Even though you think that your amp is neutral (I like the word natural better), there is apparently a subtractive coloration that is making the music less colorful and interesting, even though you can't identify it.

For some years, I used a McIntosh MC 300 as my main amp. I really liked it, and I had retired my MC2105 in favor of it. One day I took out the 2105 just for fun, and I never went back. It wasn't as silent or modern, and the mids were a bit more forward, but even though I'm sure that the MC300 was technically superior, I enjoy the 2105 presentation more. To sum it up, I think that every amp has a personality, and I don't think that the Sim is the right amp for you.

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,471 posts
 
So right roxy54. Every amp has a personality. Actually internal wire, caps, resistors, rectifiers and even the darn chassis EACH have a sound personality.  So yes, the end product also does. 
More to discover