How far have ss amps really come in the last twenty years?

amp tech has stalled in terms of design, although in terms of innovation and advances on some themes, amp builds are being updated with fresh lines of thought on how best to get from input to output.

one example I recall from reading articles on various amp tech is a more limited, or sparse approach in the use of MOS FET devices. presently some makers have reduced the amount of these devices within amps choosing instead of using four, six, eight or mnore to using only a pair per ch in the amp output stage, yet choosing them a lot more carefully with matching them electronically a far higher priority..

otherwise we have to be in agreement that the evolution of the parts themselves has escalated performancewise, and greater attention to isolation and power sup builds has handed us at least SS hybrids, class A, and A/B amps which appear to perform on higher levels with at times fewer parts.

new BK amps from PS Audio for example use this less is more approach. I believe darTZeel was using just one pair of bi polar devices back in '04 or '05 rather than multiples of same as has been the case so very often with sand amps which opt for such device topologies.

although this minimalistic attitude has been ongoing for a while in some maker's amps, it is in fact, 'new' design techniques, so there's that.

more tube amps are now using cathode follower designs for continuous auto biasing rather than mandating owners to self bias each amp and as said, actively engaging a 'continuous' auto bias circuitry, ala vAC's IQ line of amps.

jolita Black Ice INTs partnered with FOSGATE designer to add in a sound enhancing tech to their 18 and 50wpc INT models currently available, or so I've read/heard.

its a tuff act to build an amp whose design is completely unknown, brand new, or not another take on a proven method.

its like reinventing the wheel.

one likely has to hang their hat on the 'less is more' tact, and greater attention to detail in the build's layout as something fresh in amp design, yet its not a totally new 'ground up' blueprint, just different.

i think until someone discovers the 'never before' ways and or means to transmit and develop signals, and does the same for output stage thinking, we will have to be satisfied with innovation and refinement, rather than be unsettled with the SOTA of amplifier philosophies seemingly remaining unchanged.

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I suppose you have switched spkr cables from left to right to see if its not the spkr itself by now, and as such it is a disparaging and interesting concern at the same time.

Much luck to you.

as for the insight on amps have reached their zenith, and or are all alike now, well, that is pure nonsense.

neither are they indistinguishably similar in build, they are different sonically as well.

just my input, mind you, but I trust my ears and hear distinct diffs from many amps and preamps when both are of the same brand or house sound, or as separates which has been my usual path for building a system.

naturally the only true way to ensure or prove positive once and for all, would be to have several amp makers gear set onto the same brand rack with the same source device and roll them into a room with a pair of speakers which have been optimized for that room and play them all one after the other off a set playlist.

this scenario ain’t ever gonna happen.

another way to get the evidence all amps are not equal is to buy some and listen for yourself.

this I have done along with so many, many others and found out as said, amps are NOT all alike or even too close to call sonically, not even SS amps regardless their classifications.

its ridiculous to believe they are!

of course for those who actually do believe amps are more alike than not, it is sure gonna be a cheaper and shorter path to their audio Nirvana.

they could simply buy a Bose setup and be done.

on this topic….
to get deeper insight or just some texture, on amplifier innovation, design, and concepts this link reveals an article which addresses major amp icons thru the years and those people responsible for them.

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-12-most-significant-power-amplifiers-of-all-time/

I found the most interesting part the time frames for these designs many which date well back into the 20th century, and how ground breaking many of these products have stood the test of popularity and time together, remaining viable and often sought after products even in today’s market.

until we see plasma conduits carrying anti matter fueled power supplies, or photonic signal converters or the like amps aren’t going to see much of a complete face lift in the near future.

what role will amps play when the sOTA finally arrives at life size Hallograms in the home?

someone is gonna have to figure out how to get point source audio info from every axis within that setting to coincide with the visibly displayed content… and I think we’re back to converting electrical signals into and back from photonic means.

the curren optical fiber conduit merely carries a signal, it does not develop or manipulate it what so ever, it is just another kind of wire or pipe information passes thru and nothing more.

to accomplish it, will take a new kind of ‘wheel’..