2. amps-preamps
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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
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
I have found most professional reviewers use the term, referencing to live, unamplified music. Also the comment is always used after they use an " audiophile " recording ( properly mic’d, mixed and mastered ), not a compressed, badly produced recording. Getting back to the speaker situation. My Lascalas and Kosst’s focals, although different, can play any kind of music, with authority and a bit of volume to boot. I owned, and have sold Thiels, and " exciting " is not their thing ( again, not to fight with anyone ), although I really do understand why people love them, and there is a lot to love, but you might have outgrown them. Remember this, a system is a " synergy " of all things, all parts necessary for playback. Enjoy ! MrD.
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
Andy, please read my 1st post on this thread ( previous page ). My own words, after being at this for 50 years.
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
But, with the Sim W3 being better to your ears, it just might be the amp.
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi Andy 2, preamps and poweramps should have no personality, ruler flat, otherwise transparency = information suffers greatly. 
If you want a different voicing you can do that with everything else down the chain. It comes cheaper and easier to tailor.
12many
277 posts
 

Great post.  I was going to post something similar.  The answer your question, the amp should do what the owner wants it to do, or people should buy the amp that sounds good to them. 

 That being said, my goal is to build a system that is neutral from the streamer, to dac, to amp.  Why, because I want to have less variables to contend with when I buy my speakers.  If I have 3 or 4 variable, trying to then pair it with a speaker is tricky for me.  If I have a warm amp, do I need a bright speaker if so, how bright?  If I get a warm speaker is the sound going to be too warm with my warm amp.  Throw in a dac, and it more complicated.   It is like to solve a 4 variable differential equation.  

The second reason is that for this system, I want to hear what the band/singer and producer/mixer decided on and felt was their product.  Maybe it sounds great, maybe the recording is too bright for me, but I want to hear it as they intended (as best I can).  I don't want to have my system impose coloration on the sound and I accept the consequences.  I know it won't be perfect, but I want to give it ago and I can use the speakers that I demo to adjust the sound if needed.  I can demo speakers at my house, or even take my amp and dac (both small and light) to the store.  Much of the fun is in the process and the shopping.  

I also support everyone to customize their system to their preference.  If you like warm syrup, that is great.  If you like bright details, that is great too.  

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