If I would have to give a political correct answer to this question I would always say flat is always safe. Because flat is how it is recorded.
But throughout the years I noticed that some amplifiers enhance or romanticise the realism of certain genres and styles.
When listening to Hendrix's Voodoo Child recording using my Luxman amp it is fine. I hear details, I hear the textures, some 'almost' audible conversations in the audience in the fade out. But when I connect a classic Sansui, a capacitor coupled amp, there is a certain expanding boldness of what has been played on stage. Things feel less boxed. The reason why it feels more alive (for me) is that it doesn't focus on byproducts.
Maybe it is not true to the source, but when being at a great concert you barely pay attention to conversations going around. And whenever it is The Doors or Hendrix or a Jazz band recording or anything else, certain amps apply this less is more idea of enhanced realism really well.
Now, the classic Sansui line is great in some genres. It is not an allrounder.
When I listen to compositions by Glass or other minimalistic composers that apply a lot of really fast interaction between instruments playing melodies and counter melodies the Sansui does fine, but the Luxman amp does best. Also when it comes to vibrato and texture on a violin for example.
In the past I would have perhaps written that I would search for an amp that does it all, but no amplifier is a chameleon.
Do you have any favorite styles and do you favor amp brands or specific types that are best for those? : )
But throughout the years I noticed that some amplifiers enhance or romanticise the realism of certain genres and styles.
When listening to Hendrix's Voodoo Child recording using my Luxman amp it is fine. I hear details, I hear the textures, some 'almost' audible conversations in the audience in the fade out. But when I connect a classic Sansui, a capacitor coupled amp, there is a certain expanding boldness of what has been played on stage. Things feel less boxed. The reason why it feels more alive (for me) is that it doesn't focus on byproducts.
Maybe it is not true to the source, but when being at a great concert you barely pay attention to conversations going around. And whenever it is The Doors or Hendrix or a Jazz band recording or anything else, certain amps apply this less is more idea of enhanced realism really well.
Now, the classic Sansui line is great in some genres. It is not an allrounder.
When I listen to compositions by Glass or other minimalistic composers that apply a lot of really fast interaction between instruments playing melodies and counter melodies the Sansui does fine, but the Luxman amp does best. Also when it comes to vibrato and texture on a violin for example.
In the past I would have perhaps written that I would search for an amp that does it all, but no amplifier is a chameleon.
Do you have any favorite styles and do you favor amp brands or specific types that are best for those? : )
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