2. amps-preamps
  3. 1282267538

Is the color in the amp , the preamp, the souce?

I'm sure I have seen this discussed at different points in time, but seeing that I just bought a new for me 5 channel ATI 1505, it got me wondering again, especially when I read this can be a "Cool" sounding amp.

Sorry in advance if I am ignorant on this subject, I am trying to learn. If I don't ask, how will I know???

My interpretation was that power amps were supposed to simply amplify the sound, with the better amps having lower distortion and higher actual power. I also understood the more neutral the amp the better. Now I realize tube amps are a different animal altogether, so my focus is on solid state only here.

Would it not be preferable to add any coloration (if one so chooses), warm, cool, what have you via the source and/or the preamp? This being said, and if true... what makes say a Bryston, Krell, Mac, or any multitude of expensive amps better, all things being equal? Let's say all the amps we are considering all put the same #'s up, same wattage, same low distortion, and they all use a large torroidal transformer, so they all have plenty off juice. Would you get seriously different sound if all the other components were the same, and if so Why? Obviously differing the power changes things, but lets go hypothetical here for comparison sake.
I have a hard time understanding (all specifications being equal) how an amplifier can sound different. Isn't all the signal processing done in the pre, the source, or both?

Again, sorry for my ignorance. Sometimes a little knowledge is more dangerous than none :)
baxter178
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I think it is safe to say that no two manufacturers of amps produce identical products. This should be obvious even if they use similar circuits.
t is common knowledge that the measurement parameters despite obeying the laws of physics are not neccesarily meaningful as percieved by the listener. This fact is perplexing but I am sure you will agree if you listen to a variety of amps with "good" measurments, You might even find that some with the most power and lowest distortion are not the ones you prefer.
Not just to be a contrarian -there are indeed, "low" power SS amps that garner much praise. Thus the assumption that high a power amplifier,is a "better" one, should probably dismissed while exploring, what as Bob_bundus aptly elaborated, is the best total system that suits your preferences.
I am of the school that believes that " high fidelity" as in closely resembling the actual music played is only a matter of approximating the original. The rest is highly subjective. And there is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with that.
rayooo
70 posts
 
Baxter-178

I agree with your basic premise. I've always attempted that the Power Amp should primarily be matched to the requirements of the speaker, and, it should be as close to a "neutral" sound as possible. of course "Neutral" is in the ear of the listener.

I then have tailored the overall system character by using specific upstream gear, primarily Preamp and Interconnects.

I myself lean toward large solid state power amps driving in my case my long time preference of Planar speakers.

I then dial in the overall sound with a "CJ or CJ Like" tube based preamp and of course cables.

Obviously, depending on the power amp's "neutral-ness" or lack thereof, upstream choices are affected.

Once I become very familiar with the preamp/poweramp/speakers overall sound, it's pretty easy to experiment with source gear and determine how a given DAC/CDPlayer etc. affects the "base" system sound provided by the preamp/poweramp/speakers combo.

Just my 2cents, YMMV, Don't try this at home, yadda yadda yadda.
adlicn
5 posts
 
Don't worry about what color,find the color you like,sit back and enjoy your music.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
I like Almargs explanation - clear, concise, and responsive. But, for a broader view, I really like Bob Bundus comments. For me, they represent a seasoned view on the subject of system synergy, i.e. getting it to sound as you would like it.

FWIW I hung out with the spec's crowd when I used SS stuff. But it was clear (and frustrating) that all similar spec'd amps don't sound the same when you put them in use, if for no reason other than how it interfaced with your speakers and how they interfaced with your room. Eventually I learned that the best starting point in selecting an amp was to contact the speaker manufacturer and ID the amp he used in the speaker design process. I figured that was as close to 'neutral' as I could expect to get, assuming the speaker designer had neutrality in mind when the speakers were created.

Once that level of neutrality was obtained I got my color upstream. Then I found tubes ......:-)
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the room and the speakers.
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