4. Amplifier sound - www.hifilounge.eu

Go to content

Main menu:

4. Amplifier sound

Elektronics > Amplifier

With active loudspeakers, a loudspeaker ideally only needs to drive one chassis. The impedance curves of the drivers are usually quite good-natured - except for the resonance frequency of the woofer. In case of a desired low bass active equalisation high power is required.

Driving passive loudspeakers with an amplifier, however, is much more difficult. Multi-way loudspeakers with complex crossover structures can demand considerable reactive power. But regardless of the load connected, the amplifier must always provide the desired voltage. The frequency response must be smooth. There must be no distortion - and the output stage must not generate noise.




Figure 1: Amplifier with visible inner workings from AMAUDIO


It is undisputed that the demands on the technology are high. However, circuit technology, like semiconductor technology, has developed considerably in recent decades. Many circuit concepts, including good explanations, can be found in specialist books or via google - and apart from oversized transformers, electrolytic capacitors and the housings, most components in an amplifier are penny items. For the big manufacturers the development of a low distortion amplifier with perfect frequency response is no problem.

Accordingly, the sonic differences between different amplifiers are highly controversial. A group of hifi enthusiasts believe that an amplifier plays a similarly decisive role in sound as a loudspeaker - and strongly recommend listening to a test amplifier before buying one. The other group considers amplifiers to be so mature that modern brand-name devices can be bought blindly, sound differences between the devices are impossible

At first sight, it seems questionable to fundamentally exclude sound differences in such a central functional unit of the system. Presumably the people making such claims have never heard a good amplifier before? On closer examination of the topic, however, there are various indications that the sceptics have reason for their statements. Just look at the technical data of average hifi equipment.
  
Frequenzgang von 70 bis 20.000 Hz
  • CD-Player 200€: +-0,01dB
  • Amplifier 300€: +- 0,1dB (a loudspeaker with strong impedance fluctuations can lead to stronger fluctuations)
  • Good 1000€ Loudspeaker in open space: +-3dB
  • the loudspeaker in the apartment: +-15 dB

Distortion:
  • CD player: 80€ 0.001 percent
  • Amplifier: 300€ 0.1 percent
  • Good 1000€ Loudspeaker in open space: usually over 1 percent, occasionally over 10 percent, in the bass over 40 percent.
  • the loudspeaker in the apartment: Much more.

There are certainly devices whose data sheet values are better or worse than the example values mentioned here - but on the whole the values should be representative. When comparing, it is noticeable that a good modern CD player and a good modern amplifier (which explicitly includes the devices of the last 20 years) have considerably better transmission characteristics than loudspeakers. When comparing the data with the values from the technical literature, it is also noticeable that the non-linearities and the unevenness of the frequency response of the electronic components are below the hearing thresholds.

But wait - these are laboratory values that were determined without connected loudspeakers. Can an amplifier keep the promises made in the data sheet even when loudspeakers are connected?

Figure 2 shows the frequency response in the form of the measured output voltage at an amplifier - and thus indirectly the volume generated by the loudspeaker. The amplifier is a mid-range AV receiver from a brand manufacturer. The loudspeaker was a common floorstanding loudspeaker - the volume was at the upper limit of what is acceptable in a rented flat.




Figure 2: Mid-range AV receivers with and without connected speakers


Even under load, the fluctuations of the frequency response are around ±0.2 dB - in the sound-decisive range between 100 and 3000 Hz the fluctuations are even smaller. In comparison: the 8260a loudspeaker from Genelec is a high-end digital active loudspeaker of the absolute top class with a lavish price and one of the most linear frequency responses on the market: according to the manufacturer 29 Hz - 21 kHz at ±1dB. With (good) passive loudspeakers, fluctuations of ±3db are common - these values are of course only valid for anechoic rooms.

In the case of passive entry-level loudspeakers, the manufacturers always endeavour to ensure compatibility with the usual AV receivers. High-priced passive loudspeakers, on the other hand, are often said to be diva-like and highly amplifier-critical. However, it is precisely these loudspeakers that are optimised for operation with tube amplifiers with weak chests, and therefore highly amplifier-critical speakers are rare even in the high-end range.

Rare means rare - and not that critical loudspeakers do not exist. Some multi-way loudspeakers with critical impedance drops below 1 Ohm have been introduced to the German market in recent years. Extremely high level requirements also drive the demands on the amplifiers considerably higher - although it must be emphasized at this point that a conventional floorstanding loudspeaker rarely requires more than one (!) watt of power when the room loudspeaker is raised. Those who do not want to drive divas (faulty designs?) can therefore make do with an inexpensive amplifier.

Blindtests

It is one thing to look at data sheets and measurement records - but the real sound impression is what counts in the end. Amplifier tests are anything but easy - especially at your local dealer. Many dealers are trained in sales psychology and only want the best for the customer - his money. Some dealers have perfected their presentation techniques to such an extent that they can even show the customer their own sound with different digital cables and washers for the CD player. To maintain that hifi dealers basically want to rip off their customers is of course wrong. Especially the smaller hifi dealers have chosen their profession out of love for hifi technology - and give their recommendations for high-priced amplifiers with the best of intentions. This does not make it easier to get an objective impression.

If one of the amplifiers is set slightly louder than the other when listening to a comparison, it is usually directly rated better in comparative tests. But which dealer connects measuring instruments to adjust the amplifier levels? Furthermore, psychological factors should not be neglected - a high-end amplifier with a very heavy transformer has a completely different effect on the listener than a plastic model from the entry-level class. The only way to make a statement is blind tests with a perfect level adjustment on high quality speakers.

In recent years, the hifi dealer David Messinger from Vienna has had some amplifiers competing against each other in blind tests with several test listeners. The results are quite interesting and give rise to considerable doubts about the inherent sound of amplifiers. Many a convinced hifi freak, who was convinced of amplifier sound, has embarrassed himself in such tests. The results of several such tests were published in the dealer's forum http://www.hififorum.at/ (German language)


The German texts can be translated to English with: https://www.deepl.com/translator.

The entry level AVR Sony STR-DE85 could not be distinguished from a much more expensive ASR Emitter Exclusive Version Blue in these tests, comparisons with other AVRs and integrated amplifiers were similar. Only some tube amplifiers with strong inherent sound were recognizable as such. After the tests David used the signature in his forum:



"The biggest problem with amplifier tests is that amplifiers with potentiometers are very inaccurate in terms of left/right channel level equality. If there is a balance control, one can still help oneself, but for the "purists" there is no such thing. If, for example, test amplifier A has 4.0 Volts on the left and 4.4 Volts on the right and test amplifier B has similar levels, but the other way round, then there is at least once a small offset of the virtual center when switching, which makes a proper comparison practically impossible. [....]  That was also the reason why I was so "successful" with my blind test run. Had it not been for the offset of the virtual center, I would have had to concentrate on something else and I don't think I would have done nearly as well. In other words, the difference was already of a magnitude well above the hearing threshold.
Babak, so this was the "positive control" ;)

Otherwise I would like to meet the person who can tell faultless amplifiers and CD players apart in blind tests."

Source: David Messinger, Quote translated to english



David vividly describes that the main problem in the blinded comparison tests was the minimal volume differences between the devices. These immediately resulted in a different sound for the test listeners. Once the volume levels were properly adjusted, it was almost impossible to pass the blink tests. After the tests David used the signature in his forum:



"An "audio layman" can be recognized by the fact that he is much more concerned with audio components than with room acoustics, LS placement and choice of listening position."
Source: David Messinger, Quote translated to english 



I can only agree with this quote. Loudspeaker placement and acoustics are hardly to be underestimated. If you really want a technically "better" sounding amplifier concept in your system, you should think about using active loudspeakers with active crossovers.

You will also find cheap surroundsystems where the AVR-functions are build into the Subwoofer. I prefer a solution with AVR.


The recommendation when buying an amplifier from this website

  • Many dealers have special offers, discontinued models, exhibition equipment or make package prices at purchase. And you can see the workmanship of the housings and the operation directly in the shop. Buying from a specialist retailer can therefore make more sense than buying online.
  • But if you know what you want, you can buy electronics from renowned manufacturers blindly on the Internet without a guilty conscience - and focus on design and features. Whatever time and money has been saved, he can invest in acoustics and loudspeakers. Once the decision to buy on the Internet has been made, however, one should not spend hours in a specialist shop to get advice. That is simply consultation theft.
  • In general, you should think about buying active loudspeakers with integrated power amplifiers. The resulting advantages due to a more complex crossover design, more direct control of the bass speakers, room adjustment and many other advantages clearly speak for active loudspeakers.
  • A good amplifier can last for decades - and thus be cheaper than a cheaper device. Especially with stereo equipment, it is unlikely that the amplifier will become obsolete.
  • AV receivers, on the other hand, are constantly evolving. Modern devices can receive music wirelessly from MP3 players and smartphones, and for home cinema applications the latest HDMI standards should be supported. When buying a very expensive AV receiver, you should bear in mind that the device may be replaced by a successor model after a few years.
  • Even if a stereo system is planned, the customer can seriously consider purchasing a surround amplifier. Although the maximum output in stereo mode is usually lower, most devices should be sufficient for a personal visit from an angry landlord. On the other hand, most AV receivers offer more connections, subwoofer management, room calibration, streaming, a night mode with dynamic compression in favour of the neighbours - and of course the possibility to upgrade to surround after all over the years.
  • The gut feeling at the time of purchase should be right, with this feeling you have to listen to music for a long time to come. A bulky device made of full metal can be more fun to listen to than a cheap device made of plastic. If you are an emotional person, you should test the desired amplifier for the same reason without blinding yourself.
  • Who really wants to hear loud should also consider this. The test listening should be done with dynamic music at the desired levels. One should sound out beforehand whether the dealer is ready for such tests. For horn loudspeakers with a good efficiency, cheaper amplifiers may be sufficient. According to cynics, these horn loudspeakers can also be connected directly to the preamplifier.
  • Tube amplifiers can sound different from transistor devices due to their special distortion characteristics and the built-in output amplifiers. If you prefer the special tube sound, you should give them a chance.

 
Back to content | Back to main menu