Pure class A amplifiers = "slow" amplifiers?

Dave, I have Soundlab A-1's, Accuphase C-290V preamplifier and MBL/Accustic Arts digital front end.

Chris

Dazzdax, there should be little or no correlation between what seems to be a slower tempo and the purity of the signal.

You are correct that the cleaner the signal the more you want to crank it because it does not sound as loud as previously. That's because we historically have associated loudness with distortion. The greater the volume the greater the distortion. So when a more pure output is generated we have a tendency to think it is not as loud.

As for slower tempo, this generally has much to do with the speed of the transistors (and perhaps other innards).

Amazing how one component made by two different manufacturers can make the tempo sound slow as molasses or lightening quick.

Always something to look out for when purchasing gear. I suggest staying far, far away from any component that you deem to be 'slow'. It's a huge step in the wrong direction as it has nothing to do with musicality no matter what other benefits the component may offer.

-IMO

Hi Chris,

I notice that you are using Furutech wall outlets (cryoed)...are they the gold version?

In my set up, i used to have the top of the line Gold outlets...they kind of "muddied" the low end which kind of resulted in a slower sound...

When i changed over to Hubbell 5362 (normal and uncroyed), the sound seemed to lighten up.

SO you may want to consider changing one or two of your wall outlets to some other brand to test.

Also, i have found power cords to slow down the sound of a component. For example, when i use a warmer cord (copper) versus silver, on the Pre or the source, the dynamics slowed...

On the amps, i used to use Black Sands Silver Ref Mk5 and they sped up the amps...

What this showed me that if you use warm (cord) and warm (components), things sound richer (maybe quiet) but could slow things down....this is where the synergy thing works i suppose.

Oh wow, you guys mean that I can really change the time signature on a song by getting a different amp? I always thought that Bernstein takes Dvorak a bit too slowly. . . what amp should I select to speed up playing time by about 20%?

My experience is that Class A amps provide a fuller sound which I believe is more realistic to the original performance. Class AB or Class B amps add crossover distortion when they transition from Class A to B. I believe this sounds like adding an edge to the music, especially transients, which accentuates the leading edge of the transient at the expense of the follow-thru. This sounds "sharper" or faster. However this leads to listener fatigue over time and is particularly noticable on "hot" recordings which can sound almost unlistenable in some instances. Obviously there are more variables which make an amp sound different than another one. I heard a demonstration once of amps whose only difference was at what point they transitioned to Class B i.e. at 5 watts or full Class A. Class AB sounded as I described above. I much preferred the Class A. It wasn't a night and day difference but was noticable.