Mono block Sonic difference $5k vs $25k

The problem with uber expensive amps is they often have something to prove. They try too hard to be stand outs and therefore have a heavy signature on the sound.

Instead of looking for differences based on price, I suggest you listen to a few distinctly different amps:

• McIntosh
• Ayre
• Luxman
• Pass
• Parasound
• D'Agostino
• Vandersteen

Two or three of those sound very very good and close to each other, and the rest are going to give you a remarkably different presentation.  Is the most expensive the best sounding? I have no idea, but there's a couple of really pricey brands on there I wouldn't have in my house, even if off for fear they'd corrupt my listening experience.  😂

The amps I am using are the Mcintosh mc611 600 W mono blocks.

When listening to music there are peaks and valleys and dynamics, I have always used the Rocky Mountains versus Appalachian mountains when comparing Sonic detail. A more powerful amplifier I believe tends to ascend to the peaks more effortlessly to better represent the accuracy of a Real performance.

The tonality of an amplifier is of interest and maybe higher quality amplifiers achieve this in a more impressive way; also the handling more complicated material such as Home theater stuff and classical music.

I have Sugden MPA - 4 Class A mono blocks, Around $15K for the pair they are my end game amps.

It’s important to note that the retail to manufacture cost ratio is about 4:1, so an amp that retails $25K gets built for ~ $6.2K and the dealer pays ~ $12.5K for it, vs ~ $1.2K build cost, and $2.5K wholesale cost for an amp that retails at $5K. There are a lot more cost restrictions on an amp that costs $1.2K to make. For $6.2K a lot more money can go into the transformers, tubes/transistors, caps, resistors, switches, chassis, wires, connectors, and knobs, etc....those things can all impact sound. The bigger budget also allows for a more elaborate circuit, if needed.

Sound quality doesn’t always equate to costing more, but it sure does allow the designer to shop for the ingredients of his choice.  A $5k amp should have adequate quality levels of everything, but some compromises certainly had to be made somewhere.

I have always used the Rocky Mountains versus Appalachian mountains

What the heck are these? Speakers?

B