What class of amplifier is best?
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- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2019
- What class of amplifier from A, AB, D and even F sound the best in a hifi system? Paul tackles this often asked question from the control room of Octave Records. Have a question you want to ask Paul? www.psaudio.com/ask-paul/
I have finished my memoir! You can go read it now: www.amazon.com/gp/product/173... It's called 99% True and it is chock full of adventures, debauchery, struggles, heartwarming stories, triumphs and failures, great belly laughs, and a peek inside the high-end audio industry you've never known before.
I plan a few surprises for early adopters, so go to www.paulmcgowan.com and add your name to the list of interested readers. There's an entire gallery of never before seen photos too. 
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LOL When I read the title of this one my first thought - "I don't care how Paul answers this, he's gonna piss off somebody". Thanks Paul.
I completely agree with you, ultimately no two people hear the same, so experiment and buy what sounds good to you,not what someone tells you what should sound good and call it a day and enjoy.
The affordable (to me) class 💁🏻♂️🙂
This video made me subscribe. Thank you and love the passion you have!
I love my AB, neutral, clean, powerful. My next amp will be a tube amp so I can get that tube sound also. I like to move stuff around, different combos of equipment. Depends on my mood, and if the wife is home. I like the idea of tubes on the input, AB on the output. That could work well for rock/metal.
Paul I think you did as well with this as anyone possibly could within the bounds of honesty. It seems like a minor miracle when someone puts together a truly synergistic system. With all the choices and all the experimentation that has to happen for each room, each pair of ears and so on, not to forget the costs involved in equipment that gets deselected and sold often at a loss, just wow. My brain hurts just thinking about the plight of the audiophile.
no, there's no such thing as 'synergy' in hi-fi audio system, it's either ideal or not ideal.
Thanks!
That's a beautiful console and it seems pristine, great video btw, you inspire me to always be searching for equipment that sounds great to me.
supereddydantes I think that console used to belong to Neil Young Paul spoke about it a few months back when he talked about setting up Octave records
The interesting thing about that old Studer console is that Paul was initially confident that the PS Audio crew could improve it by replacing its garden variety NE5532 op amp chips with one of their "audiophile" favorites. I give him great credit for publicly admitting that it actually performed every bit as well or better with the original chips, which are a 30+ year old design that nowadays cost less than a dollar apiece.
I find it hilarious that many self-styled "audiophile" tinkerers frequently engage in "op amp rolling" exercises to supposedly spiff up (mostly DAC and phono preamp) performance when they're listening to material recorded via top-notch consoles based on the very same commodity chips they believe they're upgrading with their subjectivist guesswork and dubious listening experiences.
@@editorjuno that is a great fact that i didn't know, thanks
Hey Paul, I added PS audio to my bucket list to visit, I would love to come by to visit & another place on my list is Norman's rare guitars. Thank you for all you do. I got your book what a great read.
sir you are good human being....very helpful....
Another good reason for people to get out to their local High Fi shop and just listen. Take you time, several visits later you will know what sounds good to you and what doesn’t. 😎
What type of speakers are they in your mixing room?
Not to sound like a groupie but I must say that I really love and appreciate your honesty with these types of videos. To call it refreshing is an understatement. Please keep up the great work.
Thank you! How very kind.
Thanks paul! You need to give us a tour of octave studios! Maybe have gus do a interview of what goes on mastering a particular work? Show what he typically does in a day when folks are working? Lol. I thought I remember spying come pass labs amps in gus studio. Class a for him😀
A clear cut reply. Thanks
I got the new Behringer Reference A800 class D power amp and so far love it. Is this true, I read class AB amplifiers are only class A up to... say 10 watts out of 100watts the rest is class B and thats were audio quality goes down. I know 10 watts goes pretty far but I tend to listen loudly at times on some inefficient speakers. Is this why my Sony V333ES reciever sounds pretty good up to a certain level then audio quality starts to degrad as I start to push it into class B?
I like and own some Behringer stuff, but they really need to publish more convincingly detailed specs before I'd seriously consider buying what otherwise seems to be a very good value in a power amp. Crown is in the same price ballpark, and they seem to be much more forthcoming in that (IMO important) respect.
@@editorjuno Down the road I plan to get the PS Audio Stellar S300 and see how the Behringer A800 sounds in comparison. Behringer seems to be a good value brand.
@@iowaudioreviews -- IMO it's best to be selective on a piece by piece basis, regardless of brand or reputation. The S300 comprises very good IcePower Class D output modules with a custom PS Audio front end which they call the "Analog Cell," which AFAICT is pretty much pure marketing hype because Class D amplification is every bit as "analog" as Class A or AB and a power amp can only be as good as its weakest link. IOW, even if the so-called "Analog Cell" is closer to the high fidelity ideal of "a wire with gain" than the IcePower module, the S300's performance will still be defined and limited by the latter.
This leads me to suspect that implementing that front end is an effort to impart a "sonic signature" ( a favorite McGowan buzz phrase) to distinguish it from the many much less expensive Class D power amps on the market with otherwise similar specs. You may like the results, but nothing you can do in front end circuitry can improve the objective performance of those OEM output modules which, while quite good, are not the best on the market at this time. In fact, the Class D output stages of, for example, the current and much less costly Crown XLS series, designed in collaboration with TI's excellent team, may well be as good or and better, saving you a fuktonne of moolah -- but of course, PS Audio takes back products from dissatisfied customers, so you might well decide to proceed as planned. Behringer's specs for the A800 are too sketchy for me to comment unless/until somebody like Amir gets a technical gander at one.
Good luck, whichever direction you choose!
Best possible answer. I have really liked 3 of the 5 amps I have owned. All have been class A/B, but very different. One tube, 2 were solid state. One was a chip amp, the other discrete.
What best for low impendence or high current
Another potential can of worms: In a bi-amped stereo system (active crossovers), can it be a bad idea to mix different classes in power stage e.g. two class D amps for bass and two class AB for mid+highs? I suspect phase delay properties of different class amps may vary significantly...
Paul is such a knowledgeable person
The first ten watts of my amp are class a, since five watts will blow the doors off, it's mostly class a. Several amps do this, and sound really sweet
If you have 97dB/1w/1m efficient or higher efficiency speaker, you do NOT need a high wattage amp. Low wattage amps are plenty.
Never had one more than 125wpc, more would just be a waste of money.
I like Class A tube but I have heard some good A/B amps. It's all about the Benjamin's available in the place and time.
I love how Paul ends the video on just Call us. It´s on my bucket list. Visit PS audio and if possible meet Paul. But it´s a long way from Reykjavik Iceland.
I have 4 RPA-16's from Rockville. $400 each. Love them Class H... In my 12X15 foot room, I don't even have to crack them for a full RICH sound.. Each amp. has a thermal monitor. I ajust my amps. by heat monitoring. If the MIX shows a higher heat signature I'll turn them down compared to the other heat signature readings.. If the heat signature is lower at input signal I'll turn the amp. up. It seems to work well to balance the sound depending on the final mix at so-called studios..
Can anyone tell what class of amp my old trusty Adcom GFA 555 is ? I read somewhere that it was a class C amp, and this means nada to me. I have never even heard of such. Googling this amp results in all kinds of opinions, THD, power specs...but no discussion....anywhere it seems .....of what basic design this brilliant old amp actually is . I have assumed that it was Class AB. Help ?
It's a Nelson Pass designed class AB.
Too true sometimes a cheaper amp can sound better in a system as it fits the synergy better.
For example many hi end products strive for ultimate resolution over musicality and this may not always a good fit if you have highly revealing speakers.
What sounds good to you is good, let's all enjoy being different. Enjoy what you enjoy 👍
For me, the best amplifiers are those which give the best performance, and nothing more but a Single-Ended Class A Amplifiers only.
Is "Octave Records" part of the PS audio company?
yep
Hey the studio is looking profesh, man! Looks like you're getting some takes already?
Class A is best but the drawbacks of full power draw all time makes them rather difficult to use. So I would love a class A but would buy a AB or D if I bought one today.
I always say it's best if the person presenting the video doesn't read the comments. Having someone else sift through & eliminate the comments of those people who are unhappy with life itself and want to make everyone else as unhappy as they are will remove half the stress of informing your viewers. Nobody knows everything but some know a lot. It's hard to spend years gaining knowledge & then sharing that knowledge with people who try their best to (s h 1 t) all over your efforts. I and many other viewers truly appreciate you taking the time to spread the knowledge you have spent a lifetime gaining. Please don't let the few hate filled monsters bring your spirits down.
Great answer actually Paul. I own almost every type of amp, a ton of different speakers, along with plenty of other equipment to go with then. And I totally agree with you that it depends on the circumstances. Your advice to call PS Audio is great, as would be telling the person to go to an audio forum and ask the members for help. My favorite is Audiokarma.org personally. But either one is going to need a lot more info to be able to help someone obviously. ✌️
And you don't need to be in the country; there's always email. I'm in Tasmania and Paul's staff were incredibly helpful. Helped me decide that the PS Audio amp I was enquiring about was _not_ suited to my needs. Needless to say my audiophile friends were informed that this is one hell of a great company to deal with, and why I'm still hanging around here nearly a year later.
My fav is audiosciencereview.com.
That’s exactly the answer that is correct. IT EFFING DEPENDS. You need to map out your components based on what you’re trying to achieve. What’s funny is when you deeply look... you generally won’t end up with what you want to buy vs. what you really need to achieve the goals and sound profile you’re trying to achieve.
i've always used class ab for mids/highs and class d for subs. seems pretty standard tbh.
a sensible and practical choice.
I agree, for 99.9% of us there is no reason to go any other way. Hardcore audiophiles and folks with lots of $ to spend can go ahead and debate the exotic stuff
@@303nitzubishi4 so to some degree you are saying this is a de-facto standard based on budget... But there are others out there that can afford huge Class A amps for their subs and wouldn't contemplate doing it any other way. Comes back to horses for courses. I must be really broke because I have a Class I (derivative of Class D) for my sub (Crown I-Tech 9000).
which class is best for high quality audio?
Was this a joke lol
I see ATC's from the good old UK.. Not sure which version but I'm guessing the 50's.. Anyway I digress class A only because the best sounding, which doesn't mean the most expensive although some are, amps ever use class A and that my friends is almost true lol
It's nice to see Paul's not afraid to show them. I've always admired them. I also admire Paul and the fine equipment he has been creating, especially in this last decade or so
We all here for a good debate! Don't you think?
Buying an amp is so dependent on the listeners end game. The kind of speakers you’ll be pairing it with and system synergy.
I find it interesting that whenever high power is not needed, as in preamps or Paul's amp with the Class A driver powering a Class D power stage, that everyone seems to choose Class A.
Class A usually is cleaner, but still everything makes some coloration to the sound, so two different class A stages sounds differently.
@@oysteinsoreide4323 My comment was mostly tongue in cheek. I have 6 Class A amplifiers, three of which I use in a tri-amp setup. What I was saying is that no one uses Class D in a preamp. No one makes a Class AB preamp. The only thing Class A does not do very well is make a lot of power, but when a lot of power is not necessary, Class A is the absolute winner for sound quality--that's why it is used in preamps. Yes, two different amps of any class will sound different from one another, and many people now are heralding Class D as the new best amp topology. In fact, Class D shares with Class A the factor I believe accounts for their excellent sound quality--no crossover distortion. On the other hand Class D is very difficult to get right while Class A is so simple that the very first amplifiers were Class A. Class AB amplifiers start out Class A and at a certain output level they go Class B. This is an oversimplification but they do have crossover distortion. There is such a thing as a Class B amplifier but no one listens to them because they sound terrible, again crossover distortion.
Hey if a class A B amplifier is rated at 4 k, and a class D amplifier is rated at 4 k, wats the different , because the higher the k is more bass
@G Guest the higher the k for a amplifier is the more better capacitors for more bass, so I'm just asking
I think if you answered that any other way than you did I would have called bullshit. But you are 100% right, it is truly horses for courses. There is no one best type for all situations, just a mostly right type for a particular set up or combination.
I wish you would have talked about which class is best for which set of conditions rather than talk how different are those classes from each other for certain setups.
That was the whole point of the question, maybe giving some examples would have helped. for ex. bookshelf speakers that have so and so power for such and such type of music would benefit from this class.. !!!
Thank You for Your Honesty!
I agree with him 100% All amp sound different you really need to decide how you like listening to music. For me class a-b sound better. Class d have a really flat sound if that's the sound you like.
You’re a good man Paul, how many companies would talk a customer out of the more expensive option to achieve the best results for that customer? I also appreciate that you reference other competitors and even talk them up. I always look forward to you excellent videos 👍
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I guess a good analogy is to think of cars. All have their uses, advantages and disadvantages.
A lot of home theater enthusiasts prefer pro audio amps, what are your thoughts on using them on a 2 channel system?
Sometimes the best answer is "it depends", because not everything is black and white. Well answered Paul.
You know!? Honestly, I whole heartily agree with the sentiment. Coming from a musical 🎼 🎶 background. This is sooooo true. The question is really Moot. What is the best?!!? What do you want? Is the question. Perhaps, which do you prefer???
And I need to explore your channel then..... here I go...... pleased to meet you🙂
Excellent! Amps do sound different and match differently to different loudspeakers. Unfortunately, I damaged my ears ... but before that I could tell very minor differences. Excellent idea making a hybrid class A-D amp!
Thank you for being honest. I think that the equipment that produces the most authentic sound is the best. But in the field of HIFI, this rule may not be completely correct. Sometimes the sound emitted by HIFI equipment has unique characteristics, which can give people happiness, and it does not mean that the performance of these equipment is better than professional monitoring equipment.
I also think that if there is enough money and time, hifi is indeed a good hobby, just like art. After all, I am also a hifi fan.
"Just Call. We love to talk Hifi". this statement is awesome. sounds like Paul has some real passionate people working for him. Good Stuff. new slogan, Just Call Paul.
"Nothing is done well in a vacuum." - PS Audio. Today's video brought to you by The Tung-Sol KT120 high-power tetrode vacuum tube...
Paul, great answer (as the answer is "it depends" ) Me, I use my Yamaha B-6 Pyramid (full class A) as a spare heater while cranking out Van Halen. 256 watts, .002 THD (had it tested)
My Dynaco ST-70 (full class A with Tubes) is best for Diane Krall and Michael Buble. I have a 200 watt class D from Parts Express with a Little Dot tube pre-amp that is great for Lindsey Stirling, Herb Alpert, and the GRP CDs. Each system has a different type of speaker that is more optimised for the style of music. So it all depends on what I am going to listen to as to what Preamp, Power Amp I use. The only AB system I have is my Surround Sound amp for Movie watching. They all are great, and my favorite amp type changes on what mood I am in and what music genre I am listening to.
I can dig it
A naturally! Even if their use more electricity//. And tubes in class A are the best top/.
Nice
I think all amps are good if they sound good to the listener. I've had class a and ab and loved both. The quality of the source material is important as well.
Are those ATC speakers?
Yes, the look like ATC.
For me I prefer class AB it's a good compromise on quality of class A and the efficiency of a class D
Are you indicating that class D doesn't sound good? If so. You've really got to start listening to some of the new stuff out there nowadays. The only amps I own that compete with my cheap little Allo Volt+ Stepped Attenuator for straight up SQ (especially midrange magic as I like to call it) have tubes in them. And the only one that beats it walking away is a 6L6 SET/SEP (it's switchable), and that's only if you're okay with no bass slam at all. The class AB ones aren't even in the same category IMO. And I do have some pretty decent ones too.
Works for me :-)
@@amb3cog -- Two out of three of the best performing power amps ever measured by Amir of audiosciencereview.com are Class D designs by one man. His name is Bruno Putzeys and IMO he's (at least so far) the defining audio design genius of the 21st century. Guys like Bob Carver, Bascom King, and even the estimable Nelson Pass have had their day, but it ain't today.
@IMMO Lab No unfortunately I haven't heard any 45/46, or 300B, or 2a3 either. Maybe someday. I tend to prefer more power though. Just because my room is very small (and used as a bedroom also), and it makes it hard to enjoy the types of speakers they would need. Right now I would be more inclined to try a more powerful tube, like an 845, or maybe a parallel SET.
@@sgals3395 -- I'm sorry, but what you posted makes no sense whatsoever. The notion that an amp with excellent measurable specs could possibly be "over-filtering" its input is utterly absurd, since the idea behind designing an amp that achieves excellent specs is transparency, i.e. producing an accurate, higher-amplitude replica of its input. That said, you may prefer the performance of an amp with objectively lousy specs because you enjoy the way it alters its input as heard through your speakers or headphones -- that's your prerogative, but it's not "high fidelity." Remember, "high fidelity" means "great faithfulness," which for an amp means amplification with as little alteration as technically possible within the constraints imposed by its price point. I have never experienced an amp with excellent specs that actually sounded bad as per the principle of "high fidelity" given good source material and decent speakers -- and if you're being honest with yourself, neither have you. Ever. That fallacy revealed, let us move on. :-)
The mission of a recording mic is to participate in producing the recorded sound of (usually one part of the) music, which doesn't necessarily mean accurately replicating the sound of a voice or instrument, e.g. large diaphragm condenser mics used for vocals tend to have somewhat emphasized upper mids and highs, because that makes (some) voices sound crisper, with better-defined consonants and a sense of intimacy that a strictly accurate mic would not impart. It is, in essence, part of what amounts to a musical instrument chosen by the artist and/or production team with a certain goal in mind. A calibrated measuring mic -- which AFAIK Amir doesn't use, since (again AFAIK) he's never attempted to measure transducers -- is an entirely different sort of device with an entirely different purpose, which isn't participating in the production of recorded sound, but rather functioning as a tool for evaluating gear for the *re*production of recorded sound. IOW you're comparing apples vs. oranges and IMO making yourself come off as foolish in the process.
Allow me to boil the issue down to its basics. The mission of recording studio equipment -- mics, mixing desks, compressors, EQs, plate reverbs, etc. -- and that of a home stereo system are very different. The studio is a tool to *produce* recorded music, which often entails altering the sound of voices and instruments significantly in service of artistic goals that often deliberately diverge from the principle of "high fidelity." The home stereo system's job is the bring the resulting recorded product to the listener's ear in a way that's very faithful -- hence "high fidelity" -- to the artistic goal achieved in the studio. IOW, it is or at least ought to be a *reproduction* system -- at least if you're going by the ideal of "high fidelity."
Of course, nobody can tell you what you should prefer in the sound coming from your own stereo gear, so you can call it "good," "wonderful," "great," "pleasurable," "delightful," or whatever until you sound like you've just arrived home from a lifted-pinky wine tasting -- but you can't call it "high fidelity" if that sound isn't "very faithful" to the artistry created in the studio and mastered onto a recorded medium.
Aren't those old consoles all just for show and the computer behind it actually is where all the magic happens?
For people whom want minimum signal-loss input output like 0.00001% i advise a Technics Mosfet of the early 1990's
You can find them second hand for $300.
My logic ; an artist or band records and masters their music the way they want you to hear it right ?
But that is just my reasoning.
I still have a pair of
Classe’ DR-3 (VHC) bridged and I’ll
put them up against almost anything out there!
A great design is great 🙂
Class A zero feedback SET amps sound best to my ears - but can be a pig to engineer one once you go design one that goes beyond 12 WPC output.
Thom Moore hmmmm, simple laid out circuits. point to point wire. Bad ? No. Simple? Yes obsolete? no way! You could say they had it right back in the day. But As with all things there’s a down side and that’s the inefficient nature of them. Class a is still used every where, especially on the outputs of device’s. So they must do something right
If you ever need a spare engineer on a session, lemme know!
I prefer AB amps with a %0.03 THD.
Carver Class G (modified A/B) guy here, the TFM series have been my greatest find. You have also admitted that you highly admire Bob's work! Class D is on the rise however!
With all due respect to the visionary Mr. Carver, the best of today's Class D modules have surpassed even his finest solid-state designs when it comes to price and efficiency vs. measurable and audible performance. The man was way ahead of his time back in the day, but his time has come and gone, with younger folks like Bruno Putzeys picking up the torch and running with it.
@@editorjuno And I would wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. My only point (if there was one) was that these old Carver amps still sound great, even to this day. I will soon be going class D however on my big bass amp, the PT-1800 just doesn't quite have enough steam for what I am trying to do. ;-)
I totally agree that amplifiers sound different. And they do for many, many different reasons. Circuit design is probably the biggest factor along with component selection. Of those two items, I have tested many different amps back to back and I can tell you that yes!! All amps sound different. A lot folks can't hear it, but some can. I can tell you that going from a QSC class AB pro audio amplifier to a Crown Class D pro audio amplifier, there were huge differences. The Class D just did not match the clarity and soundstage of the Class AB. Same goes true for car audio amplifiers, which is why I'm a huge fan of old Phoenix Gold amplifiers and signal processors. People probably think I"m stupid for buying over 20 PG amps now that I have in my collection. I also use them quite extensively for car use and for home use. My favorite amps are made by Phoenix Gold. Even their Class D amps sound pretty damn good!!!
Paul for what it's worth, I would love to hear one of your setups in person. Is there anywhere in Houston I can hear a demo of PS Audio?
Excellent reply (as usual). The 'best' for a circumstance probably exists, the 'best' period, doesn't. With the amount of superb modules around you can easily DIY a good quality class D which could be a consideration, particularly for awkward loads (associated gains/risks). A consideration for Class A could be what climate you live in, and whether you have air conditioning! I went with passive NC400's, partially for neutrality to shift more opportunities for colour lower down the chain - so the order of how you're dealing with your system is a consideration - as is so much else. Best advice; ring PS!
The truth is what one sounds the best to ure ears that the best amp but depending on perpose another story
'Class of 87 'as always 'STELLAR' performance .....................
Class A
Class-A is where it's at
Depends for me.... none are perfect and all have character. In most cases I prefer the imperfection of class A signal paths up to the power stage with tubes or transistors fighting simple resistors rather than current sources. It just sounds lovely to me but most of my work is more focused on guitars and instrument amplifiers. For the power stage it comes down to need and application.... Most critical listening? I like Class A done with tubes. Everyday use? Class AB with either tubes or MOSFETs. Power with warmth. High output levels or non-critical/everyday listening? Class D can be great while being efficient, small, and relatively inexpensive, especially when paired with a sweet class A input stage.
What is best; is " load dependent ". Some Amps, Don't like certain loads (i.e. High levels of Capacitance ). These Different Loads; Not Only the Speakers / But their "transmission lines" - the AES Journal Title of a series (the mid - 1980's / 3- 4 issues ???); translate at times to "symbiotic matches" At other times, the Load "seen" by Amp, is a Disaster, During the early 80's; Amps that "encountered" Almost Any Speaker using " the Cobra Cable" (a Speaker Cable) that had a Heavy Dose of Capacitance (Due to the Multi - Weave of Wire , used in it's construction) i.e. the "old" Adcom "cube". Not to Panic ! As since then, there are fewer "land mines" out there. Then again, I did spot a Very Expensive "speaker cable" that required "corrective circuitry" at It's ends to compensate for possible Load Problems !
So do Amps sound different? … Sure, but the trick is to find the Amp that's the Most Compatible with the Sound of Your System - that means, Your Speakers. As well as "vice - versa" !
This past year I was introduced to the Amplifier Brand Topping TP60, and since then my life has not been the same.
Seriously? www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-tp60-and-fx-audio-fx502spro-amps.5025/
Class A. And run a fan.
J.T. Cooper ruclips.net/video/vXNsR_O0p94/видео.html
@@lucacorso_audiosystem Sweet.
What class is a car amplifier
Most car amplifiers are class D. Because cars are limited to 12 volts for power, and amplifiers need many more volts than that, they almost always include a SMPS (switch mode power supply) to raise up the voltage and then feed that higher voltage into a class D amplifier.
@@Paulmcgowanpsaudio yes I install a car amplifier at home its sound and bass are much better than house audio am using 2 power supply 30 amp I connect both in pararrel they are 60 amp now enough for the amplifier I make a video on my RUclips channel master electronic go and watch the video and tell me if its a good power supply
Correct . You just have to try out. Also the kind of music is important . Someone who playes nothin' else but AC/DC or Ramsteinn will be more interested in dynamics then in finesse.
Why do we need class AB?
What are the clear weaknesses of Class D Amplifiers
The really good ones have none to speak of -- they're definitely top tier in measurable performance. As you go down on the price spectrum -- e.g. from amps based on Purifi, Hypex, or IcePower modules down to products built around mass market monolithic Class D chips, many of which are surprisingly good given the context of how astonishingly inexpensive they are, the relevant measurements won't be as impressive and will probably manifest as audible deficiencies given good enough and/or demanding speakers and discerning ears.
@@editorjuno Thanks Bruce Morgan
Switching distortion and thin sound. RLC circuits can only do so much to doctor up the switching distortion before it kills the tone and really messes with the crossover frequencies in a speaker's passive crossover. I prefer AB and G/H amps for medium to low efficiency speakers. As for high efficiency speakers, Class A valve amplifiers rule. Some of those single ended tube amps add subtle distortion that makes it sound very pleasant and musical. Class AB and G/H amps are great for studio monitor applications and some of them may sound too sterile. Any crossover above 3rd order are tone killers in my opinion. A Class AB amplifier with a 90 to 110 dB signal to noise ratio and 0.03% THD is my personal preference.
Modulation noise
Wish to call u one day.
I am a mechanical engineer and I have been in this hoppy for more than 35 years, I have called years ago when I started using your products p300 and power cords and purchased some of your newer regeneration products,but years ago i got to talk to you personally,now your not available,ever and sorry but a lot of people I talked to do not have some electrical knowledge to answer some of my concerns,and just generally try to do there best,thinking that I won’t recognize there uneducated opinion,thus I have stopped using your products and moved on to other manufacturers,when I spend my money on someone’s product I expect to talk to someone completely knowledgeable about that product and it’s frustrating to be brushed off,not saying everyone I spoke to was not helpful just some
Why u didn’t have simple answer for simple question you make me more confused!
I would like to see a hybrid amplifier. It would have a class D power supply and class A signal path. It would be similar to a class G or H, in that the power supply switches depending upon the signal. But this amp would switch continuously. The class A signal path would operate fairly efficiently because it would only be dropping the "rail" a little. The rail would be riding the signal. It would be particularly nice if the class A portion was implemented using V-FETs.
I think the amplifiers in the Elac Navi active speakers were implemented with this philosophy in mind
Class A is the best ... but complicated. I like the post-tripath class D amps because they give a good cost/benefit - of course a class A tube amp is the best!
You're right Paul. Some people should move on. Amps do sound differently. Everyone hears differently. All that matters is what sounds good to the person listening. People seem to want to argue over specs and accuracy or what class of amp is best. UGH !! Love the video Paul. Some of us know you're right. If these guys are such incredible experts, let them go build the "perfect" amp. I'll wave goodbye with you.
Any one watching this have info on cerwinvega stroker car amp it's a G- H-D all in one is this bad mix spices or good mix trying to learn I no H it for sound quality it reproduces tube sounds d regulated stingy eficincy but shorty on the g I think it like d but lil different is like d but it turns into hc to keep from being stingy on big bass notes think got this has thank dude 5 min l lernd all this visetid late dude sound you later your voice is class I got go love but not long time
Lots of buzz around the Purifi Audio 1ET400A amp module. If it's as good as everyone claims, would be great to see it in a PS Audio product. Maybe the Sprout.
It's astonishingly good, but I doubt too many folks will hear the difference between it and Putzeys's earlier NCore design for Hypex. Both are audibly and measurably much better than the IcePower board PS chose for the Sprout 100 -- but the IcePower product has a built-in power supply, which helped PS keep the Sprout 100 small. www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-purifi-1et400a-amplifier.7984/
As you say it's impossible to say what is best. It's a bit like asking a person what the best music is.
Come on Amazon make some Hifi active speaker's to go with your new hd music streaming service.😁😁😁😁
Anyone building G or H?
Cerwin Vega. My amp is class H 3 tier
@@cp070476 Cerwin Vega don't build their own amplifiers. At least the 2.6KW is just a rebranded Master Audio DX2000. Cerwin Vega's subwoofer amplifiers are known to fail aswell.
@@FSXgta My power amp is doing ok. Had it 6 years 😁
@@cp070476 yes, but it's the subwoofer amps that are bad. They probably make them themselves
The superb new Benchmark AHB2 power amp -- probably as good as it gets regardless of price -- is kinda/sorta in that territory. www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-benchmark-ahb2-amp.7628/
i see the amplifier question as the best output stage, and i like class D for that generally.
personally with the limitation of where i live and the room i use high efficiency smaller class D works the best for me. and then i am talking about power amplifier.
Single ended triodes always sound nice.
j k ... it’s only for people who can afford those expensive 102dB speakers! 😂🤣
@@hushpuppykl Like a pair of Cornscalas?
j k ... I’m gonna seriously give SET a try. Not really sat down to listen to one yet.
Thumb nail blue with yellow stars I'm like noooooooooooooooo not the European union!!
The class of circuitry matters not at all if it's poorly done, and it matters not at all if it's as good as it can be.
What matters the most is the Results, and for that You Have To Listen To The System In Person.
Either it sounds good or it doesn't, no matter what class of amplifier is used.
As Paul correctly says .., amps are like horses for courses ! They can and do sound different from each other ( especially comparing different classes of amplifier ) The annoying point here is which amp is right ?
I have a theory ... everyone claims vacuum tube amps sound so 'open' and relaxed whereas SS amps sound harsh ... well I do know of one amplifier amplifier which is SS and it has confused many a blindfolded panel of listeners taking part in an A-B comparison test . This amp happens to be the Quad 303. This amp has no split rail power supply ( just around 67volts regulated ) the speaker is coupled via a low loss electro plus polyester/Mylar shunts for upper register correction ) the value is 2000uF optimised for 8 ohm nominal loads. The point about THIS amplifier is that it isn't connected directly to the output stage as is the case with split rail amps. Nor does the speaker have any direct coupling to the output tubes of a vacuum tube amp . There is therefore never any " floating" DC offset at the output terminals .. THIS in my opinion contributes enormously to the sweet sound of valve amps . Mosfets come close .. because of their inherent dynamic losses as we all know but nonetheless they fall short because of the direct coupling .
I have a solid state amp which doesn't sound like a solid state. Hegel H390 is really something special. It's so much better than my old solid state amp.
The best amp class is the the new thx aaa. It has been scientifically proven with inumerous measuments.
Heres one for you. How about class A for tweeters, class B for midrange, class C for midbass and class D for subwoofers 😂
Thats actually the way I go, my fellow audiophile. Thanks
Class C for midbass... And the call it "the fart machine", LOL😂
Actually I am planning a system build like that one day with an active crossover, a 15 watt class A for tweeters, a 125 watt class AB for midrange and a 250 watt class D for woofers.
Using each amps strength to our advantage!
It’s high time people stop saying a certain class of amp is the best or it sounds lousy. So true that it depends on the designer and it’s cost.
Even met some people who say measurements are everything, basically, they say tube amp sucks because of the measurements against a solid state. That is really nonsense.
I got a nice solid state integrated that measures so darn flat. Even with an inductive/resistive/capacitive load it’s measuring less than 0.08 dB variation. Yet I prefer it with a tube preamp. As microphonic as it might be, with its higher distortion level, the sound is sweeter, more airy and holographic. 😬
hushpuppykl yeah but class d is best though
Thom Moore ... I know what you are saying but there are many who enjoy the sound of a tube amp.
Why can’t people be allowed to enjoy it without bother?
Take the likes of John Atkinson. He measures amps and speakers all the time. Yet, at a show, he voted for a tube amp combo as best sounding.
Kenig_der_Alpen ... 500 wpc in the size of a mobile phone box? 😬
H