🚀 go-pugleaf

[discussion of Stereo Review's test in which people were unable to
 tell different amplifiers apart]
 
] This supports my belief that the *only* important characteristics
] distinguishing amplifiers over the two-to-three-hundred-dollar price
] point are price, power, durability, and other such factors.  I think
] *all* other differences are primarily the result of the expectations of
] the listener.  [...]
]
] I'm curious what other people think of this.  I'm also curious as to
] whether anyone out there who has different opinions can provide
] *scientifically sound* evidence that I'm wrong.
 

I am amazed really, when I went looking for a CD setup I compared several
amplifiers. When I heard them in different shops I couldn't remember the exact
differences. When I finally decided on the shop to buy from I sat down and chose
the speakers first. They are Mission 760i's Then I heard all amplifiers with
one CD player. I compared a Denon and Onkyo receiver with a Denon amp and there
was an appreciable difference. In the receivers the sound was slightly muffled
but in the Denon PMA 250 II the sound was lucid and clear.

A few weeks after I bought my system I was back in the same shop. I wanted to
hear more amplifiers so that I knew when and how to upgrade. I compared a Musical
Fidelity B1, a Creek 4040, a Mission Cyrus 1 and a Marantrz PM 94 with my Denon
PMA 250 II. All the amps were appreciably more expensive. The Creek sounded
worse. The Musical Fidelity sounded a bit warmer. The Mission was a bit warmer
and the Bass was more solid and the Marantz was the best of them all. 
I wasn't able to decide my future upgrade but there was a tremendous difference.
My wife is a bit more critical than I am. She is more practical and not such a
hifi enthusiast but she can pick differences very easily, too.

Another point. If Stereo Review beleives in its own results then why does it rate
some amplifiers as good and some as bad. If there is no difference.

The only way those people might not have been able to detect any difference would
be under the following conditions.

1. They were exposed to high levels or extended periods of noise causing
listening fatigue.
2. The source was of a low quality.
3. More importantly the speakers were of poor quality. If speakers have high
distortion levels then they can camouflage the distortion in amplifiers. If they
have to much bass and a sharp treble then again they would not show the amplifier
characteristics. The speakers need to be close to linear.
4. The music played was of a poor quality. Rap or heavy metal would generally not
show the amplifier differences. Rather they expose the weaknesses in speakers.
5. The listening room had other sources of noise.
6. The audience had short attention spans.
7. etc. etc.





Salman SHAMI