Be sure not to conflate "subjective" with "utterly lacking basic controls." That's why you don't prescribe homeopathic "medicines" to your patients.
-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Three very different amps. Which to choose?
- Thread starter wscottdo
- Start date
- Thread Starter
- #22
True indeed. The audio equipment is a tool which should be objectively evaluated; to then feed the music - handled by the subjective, artistic part of the brain. Both working together “with the heart and mind united in a single perfect sphere” (sorry, for the metaphor and Rush reference. but it does fit
Cygnus X-1 Book Two: Hemispheres Lyrics — Rush.com
Official News and Information about the Legendary Rock Band Rush
www.rush.com
You are convincing me. Thank you ASR! I see the light!
Last edited:
With speakers combine mostly objective specs with listening subjective tests. With amps and preamps use subjective and of course if you like aesthetics that might factor in too.
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
@wscottdo sounds like you're on the right track here.
There's always room for subjective evaluation, the only problem is when it conflicts with (or purports to substitute for) objective data. Everybody is here on ASR because we like listening to music, but unlike some folks on other fora, we demand data / measurements about things we buy, and we don't accept that there are aspects to audio electronics that can't (in principle) be characterized quantitatively.
Putting that stake in the ground leads to sometimes surprising consequences and divergences from the "mainstream" audiophiles who (to cut to the chase) refuse to believe they or anyone they trust could be affected by cognitive bias when they hear something that contradicts the data.
The analogy to homeopathy is actually surprisingly apt. You have people listening to DACs with 0.0002% difference between them (-118dB vs -110) and they'll say they hear wonderful, obvious differences when this is basically impossible.
The fog lifts when you realize that audio electronics are still electronics, and the things certain audiophiles say about them would create chaos if they were true. For example, you have your fancy audiophile network switches that are supposed to do something good to the sound. But if we need fancy network switches to get all of our bits from A to B in good shape... how do TVs manage? Or... banks, or VPNs, or anything else for that matter?
There's one guy who claims to be able to hear noise at -300dB. To put this in perspective, a sound that quiet is equivalent to a loud noise ... on another planet (if sound traveled through space). It would have to be a car door slamming somewhere WELL outside the solar system to get that low. I mean, you get the idea.
So I guess you could say it's a battle between people who let their minds manage their spending, and those who let their hearts do that.
There's always room for subjective evaluation, the only problem is when it conflicts with (or purports to substitute for) objective data. Everybody is here on ASR because we like listening to music, but unlike some folks on other fora, we demand data / measurements about things we buy, and we don't accept that there are aspects to audio electronics that can't (in principle) be characterized quantitatively.
Putting that stake in the ground leads to sometimes surprising consequences and divergences from the "mainstream" audiophiles who (to cut to the chase) refuse to believe they or anyone they trust could be affected by cognitive bias when they hear something that contradicts the data.
The analogy to homeopathy is actually surprisingly apt. You have people listening to DACs with 0.0002% difference between them (-118dB vs -110) and they'll say they hear wonderful, obvious differences when this is basically impossible.
The fog lifts when you realize that audio electronics are still electronics, and the things certain audiophiles say about them would create chaos if they were true. For example, you have your fancy audiophile network switches that are supposed to do something good to the sound. But if we need fancy network switches to get all of our bits from A to B in good shape... how do TVs manage? Or... banks, or VPNs, or anything else for that matter?
There's one guy who claims to be able to hear noise at -300dB. To put this in perspective, a sound that quiet is equivalent to a loud noise ... on another planet (if sound traveled through space). It would have to be a car door slamming somewhere WELL outside the solar system to get that low. I mean, you get the idea.
So I guess you could say it's a battle between people who let their minds manage their spending, and those who let their hearts do that.
Last edited:
Don't let the snake oil fool you. There are many pieces of gear out there that are simply snake oil and fool many people including myself before I received the basics in the principles and fundamentals education in the physics of electronics. Before that I was a subjective mess and could not make proper decisions about what is actually occurring. There is too much of the fog of information out there regarding audio gear.True indeed. The audio equipment is a tool which should be objectively evaluated; to then feed the music - handled by the subjective, artistic part of the brain. Both working together “with the heart and mind united in a single perfect sphere” (sorry, for the metaphor and Rush reference. but it does fit
Cygnus X-1 Book Two: Hemispheres Lyrics — Rush.com
Official News and Information about the Legendary Rock Band Rush
You are convincing me. Thank you ASR! I see the light!
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2019
- Messages
- 163
- Likes
- 211
Go with the purifi amp. Might want a nice sub with your savings with a big room. If you just want to shit on your friends with how much you spent look at DCS, Wilson, Magiko, Daugistino, and other boutique brands.
- Thread Starter
- #28
I dont have room for a sub bigger that 12" on th left.
So, do I get one larger sub on the right 15-18" or two 12" subs?
- Thread Starter
- #29
I suppose the marketing caught my attention and owner has been very responsive with questions. Positive reviews here as well.
There are so many ways to put it.
I tend to think of it in terms of anecdote vs evidence. In this industry, a good story goes far.
I meant where do you live? I lean towards Buckeye myself for such.
If you're asking on this forum, you won't be getting any answer besides the purifi
Not without measurements to back up the claim of it running at original performance.
Not without measurements to back up the claim of it running at original performance.
pogo
Major Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2020
- Messages
- 2,019
- Likes
- 757
Even if this implementation of the 1ET9040BA doesn't get the most out of it (due to the PSU), this would also be my first choice. Purifi in bridge mode is simply magic and unrecognisable, even at low volumes.
- Thread Starter
- #34
Please explain.
Any devices out there now that "wil get the most out of it"?
I am in the midwest.
HoweSound
Active Member
Why limit yourself to Apollon? You can have great specs, lots of power and excellent quality for much less. I am partial to Audiophonics; here are three possibles:
www.audiophonics.fr
www.audiophonics.fr
www.audiophonics.fr
I have the DIY version of the Hypex Nilai - it's a superb amp.
AUDIOPHONICS HPA-DM750ET Power Amplifier Purifi 1ET9040BA
The Audiophonics HPA-DM750ET is a Class D power amplifier featuring dual mono architecture. Integrating two Purifi 1ET9040BA amplifier modules and two independent Hypex SMPS1200A180 power supply boards,
www.audiophonics.fr
AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S300NIL Power Amplifier Nilai500DIY
Hand-assembled in our workshop in France, the Audiophonics HPA-S300NIL power amplifier is a high-performance dual-mono model based on the new Hypex Nilai500DIY amplifier. This delivers high power output with very low noise for precise sound.
www.audiophonics.fr
AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET Power Amplifier Class D Stereo Purifi 1ET400A 2x400W 4 Ohm - Audiophonics
Class D stereo power amplifier based on two PURIFI 1ET400A modules and a HYPEX SMPS1200A400 power supply.
www.audiophonics.fr
I have the DIY version of the Hypex Nilai - it's a superb amp.
pogo
Major Contributor
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2020
- Messages
- 2,019
- Likes
- 757
I don't know of any yet, but I hope that NAD or Lyngdorf will become active again.
Purifi and Hypex based amplifiers are much better than human hearing, so they are a no brainer. Mostly they are also quite affordable for what they offer. On top of that, they are electrically efficient which is good for your purse and the planet. The specific implementation to choose depends on the region where you live. And avoid snake oil additions. If you have a large room such as yours it is often worthwhile to get as many watts as possible, although adding subwoofers and high passing the main speakers may reduce the need for dramatically big power.
For best sound, adding at least two subwoofers is very worthwhile - with multiple subs you do not need particularly large ones. And use dsp room equalization. All this makes a far larger contribution to realisitic sound than fretting about electronics.
For best sound, adding at least two subwoofers is very worthwhile - with multiple subs you do not need particularly large ones. And use dsp room equalization. All this makes a far larger contribution to realisitic sound than fretting about electronics.
I also have one. I agree!
I agree.
Similar threads
