Amplifier sound

[pablolie]

Many of the replies attempt to find technical reasons for the "improvement", which in many's opinion in here are very unlikely to be the source here (I concur with that).

I'd find it far more interesting to wait for the inevitable occurrence of the next "improvement" the OP experiences... When and with which new audio device?

I think many of us, at some point in the past, have also fallen prey to our sighted SQ "tests". The reasons for that -in the moment- very real perception are manifold... and revising that eternal debate will not shed any new light on that common phenomenon.

But after a few circular equipment updates, we start questioning that. I myself admit I have reached the point when, since I am perfectly satisfied with the sound quality of my system, I actually refuse to try discern differences and waste my time. I've done that often enough. I just want to listen to music and enjoy it.

 

[Redwine]

Have a pair of Harbeth SHL5, been “convinced” by an authorized Harbeth dealer that a fairly expensive Parasound power amp would be a very good match (power etc).
Tried a classD amp as well, my brain said “the Parasound” must be better, and I believed it sounded so in the beginning.
Today, classD at any time, far more damping control and power at a considerable lower price - sound wise no difference unless very high volume, the classD then sounds far more clean and in control of speakers.

 

[peng]

Many of the replies attempt to find technical reasons for the "improvement", which in many's opinion in here are very unlikely to be the source here (I concur with that).

I'd find it far more interesting to wait for the inevitable occurrence of the next "improvement" the OP experiences... When and with which new audio device?

I think many of us, at some point in the past, have also fallen prey to our sighted SQ "tests". The reasons for that -in the moment- very real perception are manifold... and revising that eternal debate will not shed any new light on that common phenomenon.

But after a few circular equipment updates, we start questioning that. I myself admit I have reached the point when, since I am perfectly satisfied with the sound quality of my system, I actually refuse to try discern differences and waste my time. I've done that often enough. I just want to listen to music and enjoy it.

Same here, after trying so hard so many times, it is easy to realize whatever differences there might have been, a) it's hard to decide which one is preferred, and b) the perceived difference would always seem so subtle that I had to doubt if it was really there. May as well spend more time on playing with room correction.

 

[Gorgonzola]

If the THD is below audible levels the harmonics profile dosnt matter, its still inaudible. And its not hard to design an amp with this level of THD.

I agree but then what is "below audible levels"? If I'm not mistake, Amir recently mention -115 dB as ultimate level of audibility. Looking at Review Index, how many 'Speaker Amp' have SINAD below -115 dB? NOT MANY

 

[Gorgonzola]

Although we can't seem to find these amps where measurements shown distortion above audibility thresholds at normal operating levels.

What is the audibility threshold? SINAD -120 dB? -115 dB? Not many amps achieve this level. Check out the Review Index.

 

[Geert]

What is the audibility threshold? SINAD -120 dB? -115 dB? Not many amps achieve this level. Check out the Review Index.

Your numbers are off. For distortion it’s from about -60dB to -80dB where the latter is with test tones, music often masks artifacts below -60 dB. For noise the threshold is much lower, that's where you got your SINAD figures.

 

[pablolie]

What is the audibility threshold? SINAD -120 dB? -115 dB? Not many amps achieve this level. Check out the Review Index.

Not at all.

It's pretty much common knowledge that 90-100 dB SINAD is comfortably beyond what humans will detect in "normal use".

Beyond 100 dB SINAD, you are deep into measurement bragging rights, not into audible improvement. If an 90dB SINAD amp is not clipping, has no output impedance problems, and can deliver enough power for your speakers, it should sound indistinguishable from "perfect" to human ears.

One's time is much better spent enhancing things like room, positioning and EQ corrections, rather than buying an amp with a higher SINAD if the one you already have is even 80-90ish.

 

[Rick63]

I'm shocked this thread has made it six pages without being locked, especially with the name calling and some other (political) comments I've seen in it.

 

[RickS]

Ok, it is locked now and just realized I posted in the wrong thread. So, apologize for a task switch that went awry. Have plenty of reports now and done some cleaning and have issued some warnings.

Once unlocked, just remember to be a bit more tolerant of newcomers and stick to science please. Thanks!

 

[pinger]

It's a very good forum to ask your question but it seems like it was the wrong forum to receive t

Pardon me, but we're not arguing. We're discussing. There's a difference.

Allow me to ask you this: do you believe that long-held and cherished beliefs that are demonstrably incorrect should be given the same consideration as beliefs that are proven and demonstrably correct?

There are what seems to be many people on the web who think that the Moon landing was faked, that Nibiru exists. that so-called "alternative" medicines are superior to mainstream medical practices and that the Earth is flat. Those things are demonstrably incorrect. (One of them is potentially lethal. It killed Steve Jobs.) But as ridiculous as they are, the people holding to those beliefs have websites where they can congregate, discuss, reinforce each others beliefs and pat each other on the back.

I view that as freedom of speech. I would hope that any reasonable person would see the unsupportable nature of the claims, and reject them as ridiculous. But those adherents have the right (or freedom) to congregate as they please and discuss their beliefs, even though they are demonstrably incorrect.

Therefore, you have the freedom to believe as you wish, even though the belief might be unsupportable by data. Just don't get your panties in a bunch because the members here do not agree with you.

Lumping the moon landing and the flat earth nonsense together with alternative medicine seems like a type of strawman argument to me. Thats a pretty wide brush LOL. And using Steve Jobs as an example is kind of weak since he lasted much longer than the average Joe does with pancreatic cancer.

 

[Jim Taylor]

Lumping the moon landing and the flat earth nonsense together with alternative medicine seems like a type of strawman argument to me. Thats a pretty wide brush LOL. And using Steve Jobs as an example is kind of weak since he lasted much longer than the average Joe does with pancreatic cancer.

It is my style to use a "pretty wide brush". I simply like to juxtapose ... for either comparison or contrast ... ideas, conditions, relationships or situations ... sometimes to an extreme degree. I believe it gets ideas across more effectively to readers who scan quickly. (I sometimes bold certain words or phrases for the same reason). I don't view that as "strawman."

If you believe I am in error, you are welcome to correct me.

 

[pinger]

It is my style to use a "pretty wide brush". I simply like to juxtapose ... for either comparison or contrast ... ideas, conditions, relationships or situations ... sometimes to an extreme degree. I believe it gets ideas across more effectively to readers who scan quickly. (I sometimes bold certain words or phrases for the same reason). I don't view that as "strawman."

If you believe I am in error, you are welcome to correct me.

Fair enough.