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Is there actually a difference?

Speakers sound different - that is very obvious. But I’ve never experienced a drastic change between amps. Disclaimer that I’ve never personally ABX tested any extremely high end gear.

With all these articles claiming every other budget amp is a "giant killer", I’ve been wondering if there has ever been blind tests done with amplifiers to see if human ears can consistently tell the difference. You can swear to yourself that they do sound different, but the mind is a powerful thing, and you can never be sure unless it’s a truly blind test.

One step further - even IF we actually can tell the difference and we can distinguish a certain amp 7/10 times under extreme scrutiny, is it really worth the thousands you are shelling out to get that nearly-imperceivable .01% increase in performance?

Not looking to stir up any heated debate. I’ve been in audio for several years now and have always thought about this.
asianatorizzle
13blm's avatar
13blm
47 posts
 
I recently bought  a used Krell 300i integrated on a whim. It proceeded to wipe the floor with some amps that cost many times more.  Many amps do sound similar but wide deviations  exst too .  Which is right depends on your taste and system synergy. 
vtvmtodvm
49 posts
 

Per Peter Aczel, of The Audio Critic:  “Longtime readers of The Audio Critic know the drill that comes at this point: I repeat, for the nth time, that all amplifiers having high input impedance, low output impedance, flat frequency response, low distortion, and low noise floor sound exactly the same when operated at matched levels and not clipped. (Those who are unable to stomach this simple truth, proved over and over again in double-blind listening tests, should stick with Stereophile.)”


geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
Proved over and over in double blind tests? Then I guess it must be true.

Question: Why did they have to do the blind tests over and over again? Weren’t they convinced by the first test? 😳
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 

abrew19
"Any yutz with ears can hear the difference between an amplifier before and after vibration isolation. Well, maybe not the bullet headed dude from Audio Review."

Do you mean Julian Hirsch from Stereo Review?

Audio Review. Stereo Review. Who else could it be?

kahlenz
168 posts
 
vtvmtodvm:  In other words, perhaps, all amps that have the same characteristics and work within a prescribed set of specifications sound the same.

However, different amps with different characteristics and different specifications will sound different.  For example, my Dynaco Stereo 70 sounds remarkably different than my Cambridge Audio 640 (testing the ST70 with the pre-out from the 640).  My Odyssey Khartago sounds quite different from the 640 driving Harbeths, but they sound about the same driving my Altec Lansing horns.  My HK AV receiver sounds the same as the 640 and the Khartego driving PSB Alphas, but the Harbeths lose dynamics when driven by the HK, and need the extra power from the Khartego (haven't tested the HK with the horns, but I suspect they will sound the same driven by any of my SS amps).  The horns, which I find a bit shrill when driven with SS amps, sound wonderful when driven by tube amps.

Listening is the best way to determine whether you like a particular system.  There is a learning curve, and different systems sound different with different program material.  What you may like (or think you like) is also very subjective.  You are allowed to change your mind.

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