Current Questions
More and more, I see the word “current” in audio reviews. The reviewers warn me that I’ll “need lots of current” for a given speaker but they don’t explain exactly what it is I need or how many “lots” is. I’ve looked at a few “Electronics For Dummies”-type sites but I’m still confused. A few questions:
—What is current?
—When someone writes, “These speakers need a lot of current,” what do they mean? Is sensitivity involved? Impedance?
—On the amplifier end, what specification measures current?
—Are there subjective considerations at work in that spec? The number of watts doesn’t tell me everything about loud an amplifier sounds. Does the number of [whatever measures current] similarly leave things unexplained?
—Everyone asks, “How many watts?” No one asks, “How much current?” Is it really so important?
To my knowledge, current capacity is rarely discussed. Twenty years ago someone used to talk about the number of joules (energy) stored in the capacitors of their amps, but I haven't seen that for a while. Speaking of twenty, that's Bryston's guarantee. They build their stuff to last, and last it does. Not a shill, just a satisfied customer - I've owned one or more of their amps for years and years, now running the subs in my HT. |
To determine if an amp is "high current" - ask the salesman to take off the cover. Look for: - one or two metal boxes or toroids (transformers) - bigger is better; - several cans (capacitors) - again, bigger is better; - a dozen or so 1" squares with 3 whiskers or ovals (power transistors) mounted on the inside of an exterior surface - yet again, more is better. All of these are required to make a "high current" transistor amplifier. Or you could just ask for a brand that’s famous for it, like Bryston. |
@daledeee1 "Why do all or most electrical items use the letter "A" example: 1.2A" A for amps. Amp for Ampere.
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