Not arguing just asking but in your collection of amps is there not one you favor over the other because of some sound quality difference? I just thought that different Toplogies of amps and better parts in general would make a difference.
I don't have too many amps. It peaked at 8 not counting preamps and avrs, but one died/disappeared before I got around to try fixing it, so only 7 left and just sold one and end up with 6.
You asked an interesting question, a simple one but one that no one asked before. The one I favor over the other is actually the cheapest one, the NAD C326 BEE but not because of sound quality difference. I honestly cannot say they all sound the same if compared using the same source, playing the same music passage over and over, level matched and using the same speakers etc., but I also cannot tell any of them apart, even when the lowly AVR-X3400H was in the loop. There was only one time I set up such a comparison for my younger son-in-low who just started on this expensive path/hobby. He was able to tell the difference between the 4BSST and A21, but we were too busy that day for the adhoc session. Mine score was hopeless as I hadn't got a clue which one was playing. If I remember correctly, he got it right about 4 out of 6 times but he could not say which one sounded better to him. Months later I offered to sell him one of the two and he took the 4B SST right way, only because it still has 7 years warranty left at the time. He has a PhD in an audiology related field and I have no doubt his hearing is way better than mine base on tests.
Yes different topology and better parts in general would make a difference, some graphs I plotted using REW also show differences, but consider the following:
- Can you honestly hear such minute, like less than 1 dB difference at varies frequencies, when moving you hear a few inches would change as much or more than that?
- Can you hear the difference between well designed/built class AB amps (so harmonics profiles should be very similar) that have THD+N between 0.05% and 0.1%?
- Take a careful look of the frequency response curves of speakers, go for the accurate ones such as Revel's and then ask yourself a logical question, whether the ruler flat FR for the audible range offered by even most AVRs would be an issue large enough to be audible. Keep in mind too, those curves were obtained by measuring in an anechoic chamber. If measured in your own room, all bets are off.
People argued there are other factors that are not typically measured in most reviews, such as slew rate related distortions (e.g. TIM) but if you Google the topic you would find for music, even AVRs should have no issue exceeding the minimum requirements.
Thank you for not arguing, me neither.
It is nice to be able to discuss such a hot topic based on scientific facts and observations from studies/experiments, as well as subjective experiences, but not hearsay that are widespread on the internet.
@RichB is one who could tell you all kinds of differences he heard from different amps under controlled conditions. I disagreed with his "theories/explanations" but I always enjoyed his post and exchanges in opinions/experiences. It would be great if he chimes in so you can get his opinions, that I value, whether I think he has excellent discerning hearing, more prone to Placebo, or both.., or not..
