Correct spelling : Hirsch, and tested and reviewed at Stereo Review, not Audio. I immensely enjoyed reading him, as I did Harry Pearson, and some others. JH was an electrical engineer, and dedicated his life to the audio community. Look him up. Great story on Enjoy the Music. I am now listening to a chip amp ( I started a thread on it ), and it has " the least SOUND and the least PERSONALITY " of any amp I have ever owned. No question, amps have a sound ( tone )......and a personality ( everything else ). Everything has a sound, ime, although Ralph feels it is not so when you run " balanced ". This is my view from his posts. Enjoy ! MrD.
Let me end the Premp/Amplifier sound debate ...
I'm old enough to remember Julian Hersch from Audio magazine and his very unscientific view that all amplifiers sounded the same once they met a certain threshold. Now the site Audio Science Review pushes the same.
I call these views unscientific as some one with a little bit of an engineering background as well as data science and epidemiology. I find both of these approaches limited, both in technology used and applied and by stretching the claims for measurements beyond their intention, design and proof of meaning.
Without getting too much into that, I have a very pragmatic point of view. Listen to the following three amplifier brands:
- Pass Labs
- Luxman
- Ayre
If you can't hear a difference, buy the cheapest amplifier you can. You'll be just as happy. However, if you can, you need to evaluate the value of the pleasure of the gear next to your pocket book and buy accordingly. I don't think the claim that some gear is pure audio jewelry, like a fancy watch which doesn't tell better time but looks pretty. I get that, and I've heard that. However, rather than try to use a method from Socrates to debate an issue to the exact wrong conclusion, listen for yourself.
If you wonder if capacitors sound different, build a two way and experiment for yourself. Doing this leaves you with a very very different perspective than those who haven't. You'll also, in both cases, learn about yourself. Are you someone who can't hear a difference? Are you some one who can? What if you are some one who can hear a difference and doesn't care? That's fine. Be true to yourself, but I find very little on earth less worthwhile than having arguments about measurements vs. sound quality and value.
To your own self and your own ears be true. And if that leads you to a crystal radio and piezo ear piece so be it. In my own system, and with my own speakers I've reached these conclusions for myself and I have very little concern for those who want to argue against my experiences and choices.
Showing 6 responses by mrdecibel
@itsjustme, I made those specifics known on the 1st page of this thread, but unfortunately no one pays attention to me anymore. It does seem ridiculous to me to listen to YT videos for the purpose of trying to decipher differences between gear, but some are doing it and the audience for it seems to be growing. More power to them all. I know my " system " very well ( as most should with theirs ), and when I change 1 thing ( whatever it may be, down to a fuse ) I hear a difference. Once a difference is heard ( like everyone, I use specific recordings ), it begins.....is the music now, a better experience for me, or not ? I just know what I like. My best to everyone. Always, MrD. |
@toddalin, I am not sure what videos you are speaking of, but in my statement of ridiculousness, I should have specified " meaningful " differences. Enjoy ! |
Audiophile meaning : Wikipedia : Is a person who is enthusiastic about high fidelity sound reproduction. Seeks to reproduce the sound of a live musical performance. There are other definitions if you google it. My addition to this meaning, is that this person is willing to spend much money on the gear, and likes the gear, as much, and sometimes more, than the music itself. Enjoy ! |
@ieales has mentioned, those V-FET amplifiers sounded very nice ( I owned a Yam B2 ), and I regret selling it ( it needed an over hall and rebuild, and I did not want to do it at that time ( the v-fets were fine ). I have many regrets of gear I had let go......a different story, for another time.....Enjoy ! |