2. amps-preamps
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Can SMPS based preamps/amps sound organic ?

Lately I have been reading about some well known companies who make amps and preamps based on switch mode (digital) power supply. Nagra, David Berning, Linn, Crayon Audio comes to mind. I have heard a couple of their products but I always seem to hear some kind of switching noise which comes through as "digital" sounding. The organic quality is somewhat robbed and replaced with some hash. I wonder if there are any designs using SMPS that can actually sound natural and organic ?

To me it seems mostly a matter of convenience to use SMPS but I would love to discuss.
pani

Showing 5 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Jaybe,
I'll check that site and read the commentary presented. If the prevailing argument centers around measurements and specifications that won't do it for me.  The bottom line criteria for me is what does it sound like?  Al,  I know you are a technical maven.  Yet I still  believe that you must be satisfied with the sound quality of an audio component before you'd place it  in your system.  I make that assumption based on your current system makeup. 
Charles, 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Al,
Without a doubt implementation and sheer designer talent are the major determinates of a product's  quality and performance. You are unquestionably wise in avoiding the endless non-productive squabbles that are all too common. I've backed off myself the past couple of years. 
Charles, 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Given the positive and encouraging comments here with regard to SMPS  what explains the continued popularity  of linear power supplies?  It leads me to suspect that they must have some significant inherent justification. Or is it just stubbornness on behalf of many builders?
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Personally I don't get the sense that anyone is suggesting that LPS suck. This thread is conveying that SMPS can sound every bit as good and that technically LPS is "primative" relatively speaking. There are multitudes of components with LPS that sound superb, in fact state of the art. 

Ralph,  
I am familiar with the very high sound quality of your products, are you suggesting that they'd sound even better if you could use SMPS rather than LPS?
Charles, 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Ralph, 
I appreciate your candor. 
Thanks, 
Charles, 
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