Can an IC based amp be considered 'high end'?
I'm fairly new to this forum so apologies if this has been asked before (I've searched the threads and can't find this question being raised), so here goes...
Most, if not all amplifiers that are regarded as 'high end' are either valve or solid state designs. Is there any reason why an amplifier based on an integrated circuit (chip) shouldn't be considered high-end as well? 47 Labs produced the Gaincard back in 1999 and DIYers have taken the design forward over the intervening years, improving performance, power etc. but there aren't many commercial products based on ICs. In my experience a very well designed IC based amplifier can give any other type of design (with a similar power output) a run for its money, I'm just interested why there aren't many about and whether there is a general opinion that they aren't 'high end', whatever that means.
Design a high qualify amplifier based around an IC amp ... good power supply decoupling, quality components, etc. Build a high quality amplifier PCB based on said design. Encase most of the circuity in epoxy potting compound to hide what is in there. Put that in a fancy machined aluminum case. Market it as proprietary amplifier design and high end. Pretty much a given that some audio reviewer(s) will swoon over it. |
Opposing perspectives here@beetlemania - Thanks for the link that's a really interesting article. the **intention** is what makes it high end@atmasphere - That's an interesting view, I take that to mean an uncompromising focus on audio quality - is that what you mean? @atdavid - Hah, that's exactly what I was getting at... would the stigma over the use of ICs be enough to put a serious audiophile off of listening to one, or admitting to liking one? |
That’s an interesting view, I take that to mean an uncompromising focus on audio quality - is that what you mean?I remember when I first got asked that question about 35 years ago. I had to think about it. I know it isn’t price! There are things that are expensive that are not high end and there are things that are cheap that are. So price isn’t it. Sound quality is a better indicator, but it too isn’t the last word. One problem here is sound quality is highly subjective. Some people don’t care what it sounds like if it doesn’t measure well. So that doesn’t work either. Appearance - ? Things can wind up being valuable due to their appearance but that doesn’t make them ’high end’! A good example of that is the Clairtone console stereo. If the intention of the manufacturer is to be high end (as opposed to being expensive; these are two very different goals!) that ultimately is the final arbiter. This does not mean that the unit is great sounding but it does mean that it was **meant** to be great sounding. So a chip amp can be built to a profitable product and/or it can be built with the intention to be high end. Its usually pretty easy to discern which is which. |
So, do you go for 'high end' or do you favour some of those criteria over others?I'm a manufacturer. So my criteria might be a bit different, but I'm also an audiophile. We all like to think we're getting good quality and we try to search for it; that is certainly what I do. I don't like getting something and finding out its so much junk... Most of the gear I own I've also auditioned in some form before purchase. In your case that will be your first move if you get serious about this amp. All audiophiles know that no matter what the spec sheet says, what the dealer says, what the reviewer says, you have to bring it home and audition it. Even people that rely on specs only do that :) Irony is still in. |
