What makes an amp sound more direct ?


In our hifi journey we have probably all heard amps with different topologies and implementation. Most of these amps would have an implementation which is a combination of one of these:

1. Single Ended
2. Push-pull
3. Balanced
4. Differentially Balanced
5. Class A, A/B, D
6. High/Low Damping factor
7. Zero Negative Feedback (global & local)
8. Low/Medium/High Negative feedback
9. 2/3/4/multiple gain stages

There will be more such items that can be added to the list. My curiosity arises from the fact that some amplifiers (or even preamplifiers) sound much more direct than others. The ones that does this trick generally seems to do the "they are here" trick very well. While the components which sound relatively indirect cast a sound scape which gives the perspective of "we are there".

Just from my observation, single ended and zero feedback designs sound much more direct than balanced designs especially ones with high negative feedback. Is this a coincidence or is there a valid reason behind this ? 
pani

Showing 1 response by gdhal

I’m not sure what "direct" sounding means....

I have a Musical Fidelity M6si. I previously looked for information on the manufacturers site as to its design type and couldn’t seem to find the data. At one point I asked the dealer who replied "Class A/B". Some questions:

- Is the M6si class a/b?
- can an amp be a combination of designs mentioned (1-9)?
- If reply is M6si is not class a/b, then what is it?
- How can a lay person know what the design type of their amp is unless the data is provided? 

Thanks.