2. amps-preamps
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Preamps can color sound considerably. Surprising?

Had the pleasure of listening to 4 hi end preamplifiers this weekend. And each preamp sounded very nice. But they were different. Each preamplifier has different circuitry and within the frequency spectrum there was more vibrancy in some areas versus other areas. Amplifiers are the same way.

It takes a while to appreciate sound differences between preamplifiers. And then you got the issue of Breakin which further changes the color.

clearly designers are playing around with all the internal circuitry in a manner that hopefully will be appealing. Clearly, these units do not get out of the way when it comes to moving a signal through the box.

I think solid state is more susceptible to coloring versus tubes. Tubes color sound as well.

It's all about marketing different ways to color Music. This isn't necessarily bad but it's never really talked about this way.

 

 

 

jumia

Showing 2 responses by tablejockey

tablejockey
3,796 posts
 

There are members here, who have experience behind the glass in a studio.

Those ears, are maybe the only qualified to comment on audiophool  "sonic truth."

"Absolute Sound".... whatever

Putting together a setup that pleases one's ears is the goal-IMO.

 "Tubes color sound as well."

If you listen to pre 80's recordings, there's tubes in instrument amps, possible vocalist mic preference AND studio that contribute to the actual sound of the recording. Why would tubes in the playback equipment attempting to reproduce it "color" it in a less convincing way?

 

tablejockey
3,796 posts
 

EVERYTHING adds "color."

The only "authentic" sound is what the guys in the studio heard.

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