Toroidal power supplies are a quality thing compared to EI?
There is a lot to be said of this I am sure. I'm not sure how 'new' EI is vs. toroidal, but it certainly is the case that higher end amps, if they aren't tube, are typically toroidal, and there is a fair bit that indicates the toroidal as being superior to EI in most ways, except cost. I am NOT basing this on my own research and I am not an expert. I will simply say that in my experience, a well built toroidal transformer in an amplifier seems to last longer than plate amps in subwoofers, and digital power supplies used in many newer commercial amps.
From one article I read...
"Toroidal transformers have a much smaller external field, are physically smaller and lighter for the same rating, and have better regulation than EI laminated transformers. However, they are more expensive, and their benefits may not be significant in a large power amp where weight and size matters less and without a sensitive phono stage, so a hefty EI laminated transformer will do.
About the only benefit of an EI transformer I can think of is that their primary resistance is greater, and core bigger, so less bothered by DC on the mains, but otherwise A toroidal is better in every other respect save cost."
In my experience, I have seen failures across the board.
Yet, a good toroidal amplifier with a very low noise floor, is often a beast that can last for decades.
My Rotel RMB-1048 amps (x5) which I use for audio distribution in my home have been on, constantly, for over 15 years. They draw very little power when not in use, and have zero audible noise at the speaker when powered on (always). No buzz, no hum.
Why would I pay a lot of money to put a similar, or more likely, subpar, amp into a speaker?
When I moved from my old home, to my new home, I left the speakers in the old home and took my amps with me. How could I do that if amps were in the speakers?
Obviously, a edge case with distributed audio in my home, but still, worth consideration.
Because now it becomes about both the speaker being well made and of high quality AND the amp inside it being of similar high quality. If either isn't top shelf, then it impacts the other and there is no longer a clear path to upgrade one or the other. You must upgrade BOTH! That just seems insane to me.
It isn't as insane at the VERY high end. Companies like Meridian have been doing this for years. But, once again, they are doing exactly what I said is necessary. They are manufacturing absolutely the highest end of amplifiers and speakers and pairing them with digital delivery throughout and excellent DSP.
With some electronics you do have to pay attention to quality of power supply, tho (or even quantitiy).
Since we are specifically talking about speakers for home audio, I would think this is a MAJOR consideration. Epic subwoofers used to be a very highly respected brand for a quality subwoofer for a reasonable price, until their amps kept having power supplies fail. They sounded good, but weren't well built electronics. This happened under warranty and drove them out of business. So, even a good sounding amplifier may still have other issues with reliability. Similar to how a ton of Def Tech speakers have amplifier failure.
I wouldn't replace an amp until it isn't working properly myself. I can't hear the differences in most amps already, as long as it can handle the load, and has sufficient output for my needs I'm generally fine with most...
As am I, if there is no noise on the speakers from the amp. But, I tend to buy a little more high end and I don't buy active speakers. Still, I've heard some amps which buzz at the speakers. I've also seen a ton of channels fail on multichannel amplifiers prematurely and amplifiers fail after just a few years of use. I don't want these issues on an amplifier built into a speaker. It just seems like a headache waiting to happen to me.
