Are all amps being built wrong?


The power amplifiers that drive our loudspeakers are mostly built as a low impedance voltage source. They have always been ... but why?

Loudspeakers have a (greatly) varying impedance over the frequency range. A current drive amplifier would eliminate the issues that stem from this varying impedance, and at the same time make discussions about esoteric speaker cables that strive for optimal R, C, L superfluous. Although there still would be these un-measurable ’this (very expensive) cable sounds better’ debates and opinions ... and that’s OK, that’s part of the fun. :)

So ... why are amplifiers not built as a high impedance current source?

This is an interesting read: https://www.current-drive.info/
rudyb

Showing 5 responses by jtgofish

Low output impedance probably also overdamps many speakers so you get the opposite effect of a loudness contour.Probably the main reason that many people prefer tube amps is that they have medium to high output impedance which do not overdamp speakers and tube amps are typically at least partially current drive.Some active loudspeaker companies like SGR provide the option of using/upgrading to current drive amplifiers and assert that they sound better than voltage drive.This provides a good overview of the voltage drive/current drive topic.http://education.lenardaudio.com/en/12_amps_8.html
Audioman and andrewkelly I believe you are confusing voltage drive amps that have high current delivery capability with current drive amplifiers.The two types are more like opposites.The first type can drive low impedance loads and tend to have high damping factors and low output impedance whereas a current drive amplifier will suit higher impedance speakers [8-16 ohm] and will have a lowish damping factor and highish output impedance.
It would be very interesting to learn about the intricacies of the Bakoon amplifiers.They are reputed to be current drive and have high output impedance and yet seem to be able to drive many mainstream speakers without problems although they definitely sound best with genuine 8 ohm speakers rather than 4 ohm.It is surprising what speakers even the base model 15 watt will drive and they sound superb.I have owned every type of amplifier other than an OTL and the Bakoon is by far the best sounding.There is just a fundamental rightness to the sound and that is hard to unhear.
It would be interesting to know exactly how the patented SATRI circuit  works but if that information is available it is probably in Japanese.