2. amps-preamps
  3. 124847-369

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 3 responses by xti16

xti16
1,525 posts
 
I was always a skeptic with SMPS all they way until I heard Soulution. Never heard the Rowlands but they are supposed to be real good. Raidho used them at a lot of demo's. Then they came out with the Aavik which they now use. Now Aavik just came out with a class A amp and pre but I don't know if they are using a SMPS. 
xti16
1,525 posts
 
@pani
As stated above SMPS has come a long way. But I can think of a reason a LPS may sound better in your home. One thing is a transformer will filter out or reduce incoming high frequency electrical noise where especially older SMPS will pass it through.

That said I'm the type of listener who stopped relying on specs and measurements when deciding what to buy. At least for me it left biased one way or the other.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
@kijanki
That’s for the clarification. I’m going by what I learned in school a very long time ago. ;-)

Just another reason I rarely rely on specs and measurements. I trust my ears the most. Ive heard stuff that has great specs and measurements that I just don't care for. And others that look horrible on paper but sound great (at least to me). Visa versa too.
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