A few vocal so called "objectivists" forum regulars on this site do NOT reflect the opinion of the masses and certainly NOT the opinions of the site operatives, especially myself. You will NEVER hear state "all amps sound the same if not driven into distortion" crap. I've listened to too many products over the years in amazement that have removed such prejudices.
I have to agree, and that's the main reason why I have issue with that survey thread you started, because imho the question is too generic. I don't remember if I answered yes but if I did, it was a mistake for whatever the reasons at that moment. How can all amp sound the same? There are so many variables to consider? On distortions alone, there are at least several known types of distortions. Even if you single out one type, and the % between two amps are similar, their harmonic spectrums may be quite different. Then there are studies that show some people's sensitivities could range fom preferring even, to odd, to neither orders of harmonics. And then I read that Juian Hirsch, Bob Carver and others who found they couldn't pick up the injected cross over distortions, using a phase linear amp, until it hit several % with complex music, lower (0.15% if I remember right) for simpler music contents. I also read another article by N.Pass who made his point about how class A is better, but he kept comparing A to B and only mentioned AB briefly. It seems (I can be wrong) to me he wanted to make his case about how class A was better than class B with negative feedback. How about those audiophiles ("non Objectivists" type I assume) who often claimed Marantz = sound quality = warm sound etc., yet Marantz has not been shy about using negative feedback in their amps? Would that contradict Mr. Pass's findings?
I guess since this is considered more as a hobby then science, the academic and other authoritative researchers are not interested in conducting serious research that has to follow widely accepted protocols to prove this thing once and for all. As such, no wonder people just resort to SBT/DBT, you just can't win by just saying "I am an EE with X years of experience in X,Y,Z fields or simply say I can hear it if you can't too bad..etc....".
BTW, I really liked the A21 amplifier back when we reviewed it. Nice product.
Good to know, I am getting one but won't bother AB it with my other 5 except the one it will be displacing, hopefully permanently.
certainly NOT the opinions of the site operatives, especially myself.
Not trying to say things the boss like to hear, but I have great respect for people like yourself who is not shy to use the word "opionion". Far too often people tend to state their opinions as fact, perhaps unintentionally, to give them the benefit of doubt. Until we prove it, like we do in math, science and engineering when we have to prove things all the time and say QED (an very old term, I know) in the end, such talks about how amps sound same or different, are really just opinions. Some of such stated opinions are just more credible and believable than others, and of course that's just my opinion.
