2. amps-preamps
  3. 155904-9370

what's the point?

https://web.archive.org/web/20190311201740/http://www.tom-morrow-land.com/tests/ampchall/index.htm
According to this, all amps that are played below clipping sound the same (indiscernible). So what benefit does it serve to purchase an expensive amplifier that may use more expensive capacitors or other parts?
Oh, and what pricepoint does the law of diminishing returns kick in for a class a/b amp/integrated rated at say 150 watts per Channel  @ 8 ohms capable of increasing power at 4 ohms and still being stable?  Thanks.
labguy
rbstehno
1,549 posts
 
Why are there posts like this? The “no difference in sound” group is over at ANA where all the other deaf people reside
bobedwards101
176 posts
 
Seconds on Crown. I absolutely LOVE mine; great value for the cash and rock solid performance.  Mine drives 4 four ohm monitors with great ease at 450 RMS WPC. Have had at least 15 power amplifiers since I was in my teens. Wasted a lot money; should have bought one from Crown to start. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,249 posts
 
Roger Modjeski argued that since most amps will occasionally be driven into clipping, how an amp behaves when it does so is an important factor in how good an amp it is. A reasonably good tube amp clips more "gracefully" than do many solid state amps.
dynacohum
728 posts
 
bdp24,
Your classic straw man argument above simply says: This controversy over amplifer differences is just as beneath consideration as the ones you name...but why?  Can’t one carefully set up well designed speakers, tastefully match choices of interconnects and speaker wires, use good judgement on room treatments to optimize everything possible...and then drop in a Crown amp...and get very satisfying results?  I think that’s the OP’s point and Bob’s. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,249 posts
 

Crusty, another point is: this forum is populated by people who have long ago moved beyond the question the op posed. Why take the word of some guy who wrote an article? The op not only wants an answer to the assertion made in the article he cites, he wants it provided to him by Audiogoners.

If you want to be an audiophile, you have to do the work yourself. Yes, drop a Crown (or chip amp, or any other) into your system, and listen for yourself. Whether or not any particular amp is acceptable is a matter of personal discrimination. No one can answer that question for the op, and the sooner he learns that, the better.

Though I didn't do it, also justifiable is questioning the notion of there being a pricepoint at which "the law of diminishing returns kicks in" (if only it were that simple). Talk about a subjective judgment!

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