Do you understand your amplifier?

I have a good understanding of why they are good fits into my systems, and I had a decent idea of what to expect they would sound like prior to hearing, but the 80/20 rule is in effect here. You can't know exactly how anything will sound until you hear it.

Foster, that's a very good idea and totally feasible, again at least as a tool for getting people into the right ballpark regarding good equipment choices for their needs.

Question will be what is the market for it?

I'll add it to my list of things I might do someday when I retire.....

They only thing I really need to know about an amp, or pretty much any other product is what the final sound will be like in my system and room.

What I have learned first hand is that it's the implementation of the design rather than the technology. Tubes aren't inherently better than SS; all class A aren't better than A/B, D, ICE, etc. I've heard excellent examples of pretty much every configuration, and I've heard poor examples. It drives me crazy when people say things like 'tube sound,' 'analog sound,' etc. If it has a distinctive type of sound in this regard, it's probably been designed to have a sound that ventures too far from neutral IMO.

Beyond that stuff, I don't understand anything, really. I just want as little coloration in my sources, amplification, and cables as possible. Since the speakers have the most distortion and are bound most by the room, let them be the tone control.

There should be something like a high end audio expert software program where you type in your room dimensions, the gear you have or propose having, the sound qualities you value etc. The software program would generate recommendations on what sources, electronics, cables, speakers etc. you should pair together based on your goals for sound.

I doubt that there would be any more consistency between the recommendations provided by computer programs developed by different people or organizations than there is between the recommendations offered by individual audiophiles.

Best regards,
-- Al

I have owned and have tried many different amplifiers and I have studied the different types circuitry and have come to the conclusion that simpler designs with high quality parts sounds the best. I like the sound of straight forward Class A and or high biased Class AB solidstate or tube with a solid transformer and great powersupply. The speed and timming the effortless sound. You do not need a trillion watts, you just need good power. I have re-built and modified several amps and have taken good straight forward good designs and put first class parts and have had amazing results. Anymore I do not care study this or build amps I just want to listen to good music and not worry what the electronics are doing because now I can afford any amp I want and I no longer need to modify the lesser expensive amps to get good sound.