Allaboutmusic
pfm Member
Curious as to what others think make a great amplifier? Is it topology? Watts? Current? Power supply size? Components generally? Or combination of all the above?
From my limited experience, being mid 30s, I have owned a few amplifiers and done a lot of reading. Currently have an exposure 3010S2D which is class A/B 110watts and 400 VA power supply. It seems to my ears to do everything well, power, speed, finesse, manages to be exciting when the music calls for it but very relaxing for late night low level listening. At least with my speakers (Neat momentum sx3i).
However recently I have been reading a lot about class A amplifiers and curious as to how different they sound from class A/B so that got me wondering what makes a great amplifier?!
similarly curious as to the perception of power, as I understand it, generally you are using less than 20 watts at high volumes, yet some swear a high watts amp sounds more powerful than say a 30 watt amp but in reality I don’t believe it should matter as no matter the number of watts available you will be using the same number into the same speakers at the same volume. Additionally class A amps tend to be < 30 watts but allegedly a good one will drive most speakers, so again is this power supply, current etc.
bit of a long question but would be happy to hear people’s views.
Thanks
From my limited experience, being mid 30s, I have owned a few amplifiers and done a lot of reading. Currently have an exposure 3010S2D which is class A/B 110watts and 400 VA power supply. It seems to my ears to do everything well, power, speed, finesse, manages to be exciting when the music calls for it but very relaxing for late night low level listening. At least with my speakers (Neat momentum sx3i).
However recently I have been reading a lot about class A amplifiers and curious as to how different they sound from class A/B so that got me wondering what makes a great amplifier?!
similarly curious as to the perception of power, as I understand it, generally you are using less than 20 watts at high volumes, yet some swear a high watts amp sounds more powerful than say a 30 watt amp but in reality I don’t believe it should matter as no matter the number of watts available you will be using the same number into the same speakers at the same volume. Additionally class A amps tend to be < 30 watts but allegedly a good one will drive most speakers, so again is this power supply, current etc.
bit of a long question but would be happy to hear people’s views.
Thanks