@don_c55 Actually I don’t think so. I heard the comparisons in various systems, so unless they are all sub-par, your theory isn’t applicable.
@ cleeds. While that may be the case, it seems to me that if that is the case, it doesn’t explain the technical reasons as to why.
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@stringreen That’s the thing, and my question, why hasn’t ss amp design progressed through the years? Although, it would appear that to some it has...yet my listening tests seemed to indicate that the improvements are very small. |
@hifiman5 Your point seems to be that the parts are definitely improved, but the overall circuit designs are about the same; which is why I was questioning those with more technical expertise as to why this seems to be the case. |
Just to be clear...I am CERTAINLY NOT saying that there is no difference in SQ between ss amps. I have heard many ss amps that are strident and non-resolving, among many other issues that they have. OTOH, I am questioning whether there is that much difference between some of the top flite ss amps of today- and the top flite one's from as far back as twenty years ago. |
@stringreen How old is your Ayre? I am surprised that the company couldn’t detect the ’noise’ on the left channel!! It is definitely something that they should have picked up, because IMO ’IF’ you can hear it, it should be something that can be picked up as a functional/technical problem.
@syntax Nice post! I think that in my case, Jeff brought out a model at the time that he didn’t skimp on..and that factor allows it to be so very competitive even today ( particularly after the mods were recently done).
Nonetheless, aside from Class D ( which I also feel was, and continues to be, a step backwards ( except for the lower weight and heat issuance) ) it seems there really hasn’t been any true advances in the ss amp realm. |
@stringreen Wow, strange. I think that there could still be a room node that you are hearing. Do you have any acoustical damping in your room/system?
@mgattmch That is one of the issues that I think has gotten significantly better with many ss amps over the years....far less heat production. Although, the Class D amps, which run cool, leave a lot to be desired IME. Personally, a heat engine for an amp, isn't going to be on my radar anymore. |
@mgattmch I would bet that your old Krell KSA 250 would give most ss amps today a very tough run for their money!
@stringreen What you describe must be a bit infuriating! If it is just in the left channel, have you tried simple things like swapping all the cables..left to right etc.
A resonance sound could be coming from the furniture in the room as well. That is what I have noticed when I have had issues like that, and they can be difficult to suss out! |
@atmasphere Distortion is an interesting term. Distortion compared to what? You mention that the human ear treats 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion favorably. Therefore, one needs to question whether these distortions are distortions at all. Since we, as humans are using our ear/brain to determine what is considered as a true and pure signal, wouldn’t it make more sense to label a signal that doesn’t include these 2nd and 3rd harmonics as the signal that is actually distorted...? |
@zavato I think your post would seem to be very correct..although I think it applies perhaps a little more to ss amps than tube. For example, I think the new KT 120 and KT150’s are a superior sounding tube to the old KT88’s and 6550’s utilized by most manufacturers. |
Folks, while I very much like my high powered Jeff Rowland ss amp, it really isn’t as resolving as the Jadis tube mono blocks that I use as my main amplification source. The two amps sound pretty different, and are a different ‘flavor’...easy to hear. I suspect those that don’t believe that amps sound different, one to the other, really don’t have enough of a resolving system to hear the differences.(and no, it is more than volume matching, as I am able to do this with exactitude in my system). |
@keithr I would agree that the Dartzeel amps are certainly at, or near, the top of ss amps..as to SQ. What is interesting to me, is that the Dartzeel amps I have heard are not significantly superior sounding to my Rowland. Whilst they better the older design in some areas, mostly in their ability to resolve inner detail and slightly in their top end reach...I don’t think the differences are night and day.
Unfortunately like you, I feel the new generation of Rowland Class D amps are a step backwards...in SQ. Same goes for the other class D amps, like the Mola Mola etc.,
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@atmasphere You bring up a great point! What is "objectively audible"??
I suspect that "objectively audible" is going to be far more objective to some than others. Possibly those that have made up their minds in advance that no such audible differences exist, will get their expectations met..and will NEVER hear any differences. |
@atmasphere
Very interesting post. Why is it that you think that the DBX folks won't even consider the type of amp your are suggesting in a DBX trial? |
@czcharlie I don’t think that really answers my OP. Unfortunately, IME in high end ...a lot of times you really do NOT get what you pay for. As the pricing structure in the hobby has escalated, the fact seems to be that you more often do NOT get what you pay for as the price rises!
IMHO, a lot of manufacturer’s now depend on fancy casework to attract the hobbyist and to justify the very high pricing structure. This seems to be a little less prevalent in the tube sector than in the ss sector. Not saying that all of the ss manufacturer’s are going down this road, but a lot are. They seem to know where their customer base is and design the casework appropriately...regardless of the technical merit..or the actual SQ. All IMHO. |
@danl77 I hope you had that problem looked at!
Meanwhile, please let's just stay on the subject. |
@ttbolad You like Class D and are here to tell us that it is the next coming, LOL.
Everyone has to agree with you...otherwise they have a liking of ’euphonic concoctions’...SERIOUSLY!! LMAO!!
I guess you have never heard of the phrase.... IN MY HUMBLE OPINION! As that is something that I would suggest you end ALL of your future posts with, LOL....Oh, that is IMHO...;0)
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@larrykell I think a ss amp from the 70’s is a very different animal from one dating back twenty years! There did seem to be some major improvements made between the seventies and the turn of the century in this area. Therefore, it doesn’t surprise me a bit that you much prefer your new(er) Gryphon amp to your old 70's era Sumo. |
@larrykell I think there are a number of very competent ss amps from that period that present a good (great?) value today, among them are the fore mentioned Rowland amps, several from Mark Levinson, Symphonic line, Pass labs, the Coda amps and a few others. |
