2. amps-preamps
  3. 1282267538

Is the color in the amp , the preamp, the souce?

I'm sure I have seen this discussed at different points in time, but seeing that I just bought a new for me 5 channel ATI 1505, it got me wondering again, especially when I read this can be a "Cool" sounding amp.

Sorry in advance if I am ignorant on this subject, I am trying to learn. If I don't ask, how will I know???

My interpretation was that power amps were supposed to simply amplify the sound, with the better amps having lower distortion and higher actual power. I also understood the more neutral the amp the better. Now I realize tube amps are a different animal altogether, so my focus is on solid state only here.

Would it not be preferable to add any coloration (if one so chooses), warm, cool, what have you via the source and/or the preamp? This being said, and if true... what makes say a Bryston, Krell, Mac, or any multitude of expensive amps better, all things being equal? Let's say all the amps we are considering all put the same #'s up, same wattage, same low distortion, and they all use a large torroidal transformer, so they all have plenty off juice. Would you get seriously different sound if all the other components were the same, and if so Why? Obviously differing the power changes things, but lets go hypothetical here for comparison sake.
I have a hard time understanding (all specifications being equal) how an amplifier can sound different. Isn't all the signal processing done in the pre, the source, or both?

Again, sorry for my ignorance. Sometimes a little knowledge is more dangerous than none :)
baxter178

Showing 1 response by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,879 posts
 
no two devices operate or sound the same because well they are designed and built differently. almarg hits upon many of the technical reasons nicely.

how to sort through it all and decide what will work best though?

my advice is always to do your homework before taking a plunge. an amp must interact directly with speakers and pre-amp or source. published specs can provide guidelines to help estimate how well these will work or synergize as they say together. remember that an amp alone produces no sound, only signal. how the signal is transferred effectively or not frompiece to piece largely determines end results. good pieces matched well to each other and the room will almost always sound good. a lot of the rest is a matter of personal taste and preference.
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