Atmasphere, I am using the analog out of the Meridian 808, thus its own DAC. Yet with such contrast between CD and DVD-A, this has nothing to do with the Pass XA60.5. Comments thus far seem to support my original thought that what you put in (meaning the source disc) is what you get out. Comments that Class A amplifiers are too relaxing, too sweet, or too pleasant might not be as definitive as some people think. In fact it's the same comments that many people think of all tube amplifiers. I don't think so either, but that is a different subject from the focus here.
Does Class A amplifier artificially smoothen sound
I used to like DVD-A over redbook CD when owning well respected Class AB amplifiers for typical reasons. I don't own many DVD-As and certainly haven't listened to any of them since getting the Pass XA60.5 until now. To those who have Class A amplifiers, don't you find DVD-A music partially reverse some of what you like about Class A amp.? It actually gave me a headache, the same fatigue caused by that artificially intense sound, that same sound distortion I've so gladly escaped when buying the XA60.5 for CD music listening. Now loud live performance can give me deaf ears, but not the same headache as described. At least with what observed, it doesn't seem to indicate smoothness and relaxed mood as characteristics created by Class A amp. to emulate live music. In one case (redbook CD), I can listen to music for hours. In the other case using the same amp. and disc player, I got tired rather quickly (within 30 minutes).
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- 16 posts total
- 16 posts total