Reputation : Amps that live up/Amps which dont

Hi guys,

The problem with judging amps is that you never hear the amp in isolation. Most of the times we make judgements with one amp/speaker combination with another amp with different speaker combination, that also possibly at a different place. Also human mind is quite freaky, and you may not like the sound long enough, even though it could be impressive in first 2/3 minutes.

IMO, give up subjectivity and look into specs, after all amps covert electrical into electrical (unlike speakers) and the specs should be a guiding factor 90% of the time.

The specs I would look primarily are:
- Impedence (to match with speakers)
- THD+N (how pure is the amplification)
- Power (with all channels driven), a thumb rule here is buy more power if the speakers are known to be difficult to drive/ power hungry
- Another feature I would look at is whether the bass is tight and punchy (use any well matched speaker for this purpose, not a subwoofer). An amp that is known to have "low bass" probably is not able to drive enough transient current during attacks (even though sales people may call it a feature, not a bug :)).

Do shy away from amps w/o good detailed spec sheets. Best of luck.

- Debu

Do shy away from amps w/o good detailed spec sheets.

Generally, I agree with that.

However, after spending more than 30 years, being well conversant with Audio amp design, I dont agree with :

IMO, give up subjectivity and look into specs.... and the specs should be a guiding factor 90% of the time. The specs I would look primarily are: - Impedence (to match with speakers) - THD+N (how pure is the amplification) - Power (with all channels driven),

There will be Many El Cheapo amps, that meet or even exceed the Gamut specs, but dont hold a candle to it, or other Hi End amps.

My Mantra ... Let your Ears decide

Cheers

P.S: Deaf, the Gamut setup at the AV Max show was easily the BEST sounding room at the show, even though it wasd a Large room, and there was a LOT of noise outside from the rest of the show.

It was a TREAT. Keep up the good work...

Dear Amp Nut and SBFX,
Thank you for you kind words .
Regards Deaf.

Hi Guys,
There are not so many amps that I have heard, but the memorable one's are as follows
Musical Fidelity A1, wish I had bought it.
Mark Levinsion a sixty watter cant remember the model (No cant even think of wishing for it.
More recently I heard a Linn integrated at Prithvis which was impressive on a short listen, I wonder how it would be to live with.
My present Lyrita valve integrated is also excellent value and drives my Proac Tablettes with refinement, although lack enough power for exploiting bass.

Amps which DONT quite make my list of favourites.
Cyrus fast and sharp but tiring
Accuphase metallic sounding.

Purnendu

Debu schrieb:

Hi guys, The problem with judging amps is that you never hear the amp in isolation. Most of the times we make judgements with one amp/speaker combination with another amp with different speaker combination, that also possibly at a different place. Also human mind is quite freaky, and you may not like the sound long enough, even though it could be impressive in first 2/3 minutes.

agree here. however, at a dealer's place it is quite possible to fix the setup such that one 1 variable (the amp) is changing.
The best option, of course, is to know a dealer who will allow you a home audition.

Debu schrieb:

IMO, give up subjectivity and look into specs, after all amps covert electrical into electrical (unlike speakers) and the specs should be a guiding factor 90% of the time. The specs I would look primarily are: - Impedence (to match with speakers) - THD+N (how pure is the amplification) - Power (with all channels driven), a thumb rule here is buy more power if the speakers are known to be difficult to drive/ power hungry - Another feature I would look at is whether the bass is tight and punchy (use any well matched speaker for this purpose, not a subwoofer). An amp that is known to have "low bass" probably is not able to drive enough transient current during attacks (even though sales people may call it a feature, not a bug :)). Do shy away from amps w/o good detailed spec sheets. Best of luck. - Debu

hmmmmmmm.......Debu, you have A LOT to learn!
pull up your socks & get down to it!

purnendu schrieb:

Hi Guys, There are not so many amps that I have heard, but the memorable one's are as follows Musical Fidelity A1, wish I had bought it. Mark Levinsion a sixty watter cant remember the model (No cant even think of wishing for it. More recently I heard a Linn integrated at Prithvis which was impressive on a short listen, I wonder how it would be to live with. My present Lyrita valve integrated is also excellent value and drives my Proac Tablettes with refinement, although lack enough power for exploiting bass. Amps which DONT quite make my list of favourites. Cyrus fast and sharp but tiring Accuphase metallic sounding. Purnendu

Accuphase: "metallic sounding"
Now, this IS a 1st for me!!
wonder what the other components were, the cabling, the room, broken-in or not, etc?

the room, broken-in or not,

Do rooms ALSO need to be broken in ?

Just Kidding

Mcintosh would top my list. Other favs of mine are Plinius, Electrocompaniet, & VTL. I had a very short audition of Gamut in a hi-fi show in 2003...i liked the sound. The best amp that i've heard would be the "Tenor"...unfortunate, they are not around anymore.

On the budget integrated side, i would prefer...Marantz, Cayin/Spark, Sugden ...and the best being the AKSA kit from down under. Till couple of years back - Musical Fidelity was excellent value for money...guess they've lost thier charm now.

What i would avoid....Audio Analogue & Rotel. I've also observed that i'm not particularly found of brands from Italy and Canada (all though they all have different "house" sound). Don't jump on me guys.....this is my personal taste.

Cheers
Siva.

Hi Bombaywallah,
Its long time ago that I heard the Accuphase and may be they are not so dissappointing now. I heard the top of the line monoblocks with Accuphase CD player and the top of the line Bowers and Wilkins 801 (not sure of the number). Cant remember the cables. It was in a dedicated room in a major dealer and honestly I came away dissappointed. The system was powerful and dynamic but it was not good to listen to It sounded much as I describe. Later on I had a chance to pick up an Accuphase integrated at a secondhand shop for very little, but desisted, largely because of this experience with the top of the line stuff. I suspect it was the amp. because I have heard the Accuphase CD player with Mark Levinson and Quad ESLs and they sounded anything but metallic. I am less wiling to blame the B&W speakers. In comparison to this top of the line set, a Sugden integrated which I also auditioned at the time had sounded a good deal better on this one aspect.
However all this is ultimately a matter of taste and preferences. Lots of people do buy Accuphase and they are a major manufacturer.


Purnendu