All amps sound the same vs amp signature

2706 Views 85 Replies 27 Participants Last post by HiFiAudioGuy34, 2 d ago

LowBassSubs

Discussion Starter · 8 d ago

Since being a member here the one thing that has stuck out to me is guys saying all amps sound the same. Then guys saying amps have different sound signatures.

In hopes of enlightening the mass can a few of the humble members speak on these statements? Anyone care to dig into amp design and what makes the two statements true or not? Pics of amp guts appreciated. Let's point out what make them all the same with different signatures.

Thanks.

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1 - 20 of 86 Posts

BobTheBirdTurd

· #2 · 8 d ago

Can't get into the nuts and bolts, but my Arc Audio 4150 XXK sounded very different than the Phoenix Gold Ti2 5.1600 that replaced it. Everything else was exactly the same.

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LineArrayNut

· #3 · 8 d ago

Vaccum tubes are better at some things than sand that are easily heard and amp topologies are part of that. Here's a totem pole otl of 100 watts per channel that puts out more power the higher the impedance.

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mumbles

· #4 · 8 d ago

This has been discussed many times...

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BobTheBirdTurd

· #5 · 8 d ago

mumbles said:
This has been discussed many times...

I think he want's an explanation of why they either sound the same or sound different. The only explanation I have is it's due to the specific components and the amplifier design.

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LineArrayNut

· #6 · 8 d ago

Thermionic emission vs switching is easily heard.

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LineArrayNut

· #7 · 8 d ago

Single ended triode vs push pull is easily heard.

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LowBassSubs

Discussion Starter · #8 · 8 d ago

BobTheBirdTurd said:
I think he want's an explanation of why they either sound the same or sound different. The only explanation I have is it's due to the specific components and the amplifier design.

This^^^ 💯

LowBassSubs

Discussion Starter · #9 · 8 d ago

LineArrayNut said:
Single ended triode vs push pull is easily heard.

Thanks for this post man. The push and pull was another thing I wanted to elaborate on, but not necessarily I guess. I had assumed that would audibly Sharpen notes. I maybe describing that wrong. Idk

Cutaway

· #10 · 8 d ago

I know this may not be a popular opinion but my experience has been.... All amps that i have heard a low volumes did sound alike to me, i could not tell the difference in a ABX test... However every time the volume was turned up and the amplifiers were being pushed in their 50% - 90% of available power not only could i tell the difference but so could everyone else doing the ABX test. All of us scored in the 93%+ range of correctly indicating between amplifiers but we all had individual preferences on which we preferred and why all listening to the same test tracks...

Different amplifier designs, not just Class - A/B vs D vs H, have different sounds, especially when you are driving full range home audio speakers. in our testing we were listening to Magnepan planar speakers.

We could all hear sublte differences when comparing MOSFET to Bi-Polar output topology. we could hear differences between certian manufacturers where some sounded a little more transparent while others seemed to add more bass to the output...

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shewshow

· #11 · 8 d ago

The "watt is a watt" mentality can only account for how power is measured.
Amplifiers most definitely have a sound signature. I've had over 5 amplifiers on the same sub & box and all of them sounded very different from the other.
I'm not an electrical guy by any means but know that there are many variables to producing amplified sound, like bandwidth, noise, slew rate, gain, dynamic range etc. In trying to achieve all of those to make said amplified sound there are many ways to get there.
Some may use simple circuits and others a more complicated/detailed approach. On top of all that there are the quality of parts used to get there.
Now if someone proves me wrong and, a Boss amp sounds the same as a Mosconi then you SQ guys better watch out because I'm coming for you!

Reactions: 5

HiFiAudioGuy34

· #12 · 8 d ago

They do have different sound signatures.

I agree with the other members that it comes down to design and quality of components used in the amps.

I would say to be able to (grain of salt here) get an idea of the sound signature is to look up its specs. Go to the manufacturers website or Crutchfield and check its Signal-to-noise-ratio and total harmonic distortion.

to give a different example.....
I think all Wines taste extremely similar and I cannot taste the difference between a cheap bottle and an expensive bottle. Some people swear by it.

On the other hand, I can absolutely taste the difference in beers and bottled waters, while other people I know cannot taste the difference.

To quote the legendary Dave Chapelle

"Some people think cucumbers taste better pickled"

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BobTheBirdTurd

· #13 · 8 d ago

HiFiAudioGuy34 said:
They do have different sound signatures.

I agree with the other members that it comes down to design and quality of components used in the amps.

I would say to be able to (grain of salt here) get an idea of the sound signature is to look up its specs. Go to the manufacturers website or Crutchfield and check its Signal-to-noise-ratio and total harmonic distortion.

to give a different example.....
I think all Wines taste extremely similar and I cannot taste the difference between a cheap bottle and an expensive bottle. Some people swear by it.

On the other hand, I can absolutely taste the difference in beers and bottled waters, while other people I know cannot taste the difference.

To quote the legendary Dave Chapelle

"Some people think cucumbers taste better pickled"

Ain't it funny how 2 bottles of water can taste different?

Reactions: 5

LineArrayNut

· #14 · 8 d ago

2

Even ordered and low order distortion spectra can color the sound. These are two examples of direct heated triode in push pull. Vastly different power output and implementation.

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Cutaway

· #15 · 8 d ago

BobTheBirdTurd said:
Ain't it funny how 2 bottles of water can taste different?

Like Aquafina vs Disani

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zech912

· #16 · 8 d ago (Edited)

The Morel MPS 2.150 though less power (by rated specs) than its predecessor in my car is night and day better at powering Focal M midrange. Vivid life-like vocals, and so forth. high end internals.

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LineArrayNut

· #17 · 8 d ago

2

Populated pics

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HiFiAudioGuy34

· #18 · 8 d ago

BobTheBirdTurd said:
Ain't it funny how 2 bottles of water can taste different?

Cutaway said:
Like Aquafina vs Disani

I'm not one that can easily sense or understand sarcasm online or if you guys are genuinely agreeing with me to be honest.

But like I said, its a very personal experience thing and people have different tolerances for senses, in this case hearing/sound.

Cutaway

· #19 · 8 d ago

HiFiAudioGuy34 said:
I'm not one that can easily sense or understand sarcasm online or if you guys are genuinely agreeing with me to be honest.

But like I said, its a very personal experience thing and people have different tolerances for senses, in this case hearing/sound.

LOL i am legitimately genuinely agreeing with you... especially about tasting the difference in bottled water. I wont drink Aquafina and prefer the taste of Dasani. BUT i can not relate to your experience with wine as for me they are very very different...

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eltigre

· #20 · 8 d ago

2

These gut shots of a V12 are my only chance of being of any use here.

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