I can't begin to comprehend someone spending $50,000 for a DAC. I wonder if they should spend their money instead on a tube amplifier. They must have a very understanding wife to spend that kind of money.
Let me end the Premp/Amplifier sound debate ...
I'm old enough to remember Julian Hersch from Audio magazine and his very unscientific view that all amplifiers sounded the same once they met a certain threshold. Now the site Audio Science Review pushes the same.
I call these views unscientific as some one with a little bit of an engineering background as well as data science and epidemiology. I find both of these approaches limited, both in technology used and applied and by stretching the claims for measurements beyond their intention, design and proof of meaning.
Without getting too much into that, I have a very pragmatic point of view. Listen to the following three amplifier brands:
- Pass Labs
- Luxman
- Ayre
If you can't hear a difference, buy the cheapest amplifier you can. You'll be just as happy. However, if you can, you need to evaluate the value of the pleasure of the gear next to your pocket book and buy accordingly. I don't think the claim that some gear is pure audio jewelry, like a fancy watch which doesn't tell better time but looks pretty. I get that, and I've heard that. However, rather than try to use a method from Socrates to debate an issue to the exact wrong conclusion, listen for yourself.
If you wonder if capacitors sound different, build a two way and experiment for yourself. Doing this leaves you with a very very different perspective than those who haven't. You'll also, in both cases, learn about yourself. Are you someone who can't hear a difference? Are you some one who can? What if you are some one who can hear a difference and doesn't care? That's fine. Be true to yourself, but I find very little on earth less worthwhile than having arguments about measurements vs. sound quality and value.
To your own self and your own ears be true. And if that leads you to a crystal radio and piezo ear piece so be it. In my own system, and with my own speakers I've reached these conclusions for myself and I have very little concern for those who want to argue against my experiences and choices.
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@clearthinker When he said that, apparently no 'well designed amplifiers' existed- they all sounded different! On top of that, the 'straight wire with gain' thing is false! Starting in the late 1950s with Mac and EV, there has been a move to drive loudspeakers with a voltage source. This is the idea that an amplifier that can make constant voltage regardless of the load impedance. This was done to improve 'plug and play' since prior to that speakers had level controls to adjust the speaker to meet the amplifier's voltage response (those controls were not there to adapt the speaker to the room). A straight wire (regardless of gain) cannot do this. So 'thanks' Peter Walker, for creating one of the longer standing myths in audio. |
Lost in your logic is quality of the build. Yes you can buy an amp that will sound great for a low price point but with an inferior build quality how long will it last and how dependable will it be? I can buy a entry level suv that can get me down the road the same as my Lexus but now I have to wear a kidney belt from the terrible ride, turn up the am radio to overcome the road noise, and then account for the additional time in the repair shop. Then I also drive my Lexus worry free each and every day not having to think each day what will break next. My enjoyment of music is the same knowing my system will perform day in and day out the way it has for the last 20 years. Dependability is part of the enjoyment. You want the budget option that is fine with me but I want more and will stick with my logic. |
I won’t argue with http://erik_squires other than to say you’re wrong on so many levels.
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