Output impedience.
If you follow the graphics in Stereophile, you see that the higher the output impedience, the greater the variation in frequency response based on a real life speaker load that is not a simple resistor.
What contributes most to a change in how an amplifier sounds?
Amplifiers include tubes (if not solid state), big transformers, lots of internal wiring, Power supply, cabinet, gain controls if you're lucky, connections for incoming and outgoing cables, Computer chips, Control panels, semiconductor boards, design choices, age, etc.
Of all this stuff, what contributes the most to a change in how an amplifier sounds?
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The transformer is the beginning to great sound. It has to handle the requirements of a recording. If you think about it, why do different amplification from the same manufacturer sound different or handle music differently? Quick Silver just stopped making one of their amplifiers because they could not source the transformers any longer. We used to use Plitron transformers but they now require a minimum order of 100 pieces. Designs are not new so depending on what you are looking for, a design is important to the sound and cost. Power supply is the key to great sound. That needs to filter AC noise, handle dynamic swings, etc. Then capacitors and resistors have an impact. Tubes vs. SS is personal preference. Happy Listening. |
@bigkidz , I remember a conversation I had with John Barnes (may he rest in peace) of Audio Unlimited quite a while back. He was talking about a couple of tube amps and I forget how he exactly worded it, but it was to the effect of when when comparing amps and you separate the wheat from the chaff it is the transformer that makes the difference. |
- 36 posts total