In article , Once only
wrote:

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If all (properly designed) amps sound the same, how do I decide which
amp to buy?

Is it just a case of choosing one with sufficient power output and how
do I determine this?


No, thats not true - the myth of long wire with gain. Amplifiers can
have very similar specs but have different sonic characters and
abilities.

They can also turn out to be indistingushable when compared in a situation
where the only basis the listener has to tell one from another would be the
sound. Oddly, this seems to have happened on a number of occasions when
those involved were convinced they *would* sound different. Yet when put to
the test, they failed to show the ability to tell one from another.

So the experimental evidence points to the 'myth' often being that amps
'sound different' which actually seem to be indistinguisable in appropriate
use. The evidence seems to point to the idea that being able to read the
name-label has an effect on the 'sound' for some people. :-)

Bandwidth and an amps ability to pump out the amperes when
fronted with an awkward load etc etc etc.

Yes, such things can affect the results. As others have explained, this
also depends on choice of speakers, etc, etc, etc. :-) So the amp design
needs to be appropriate for the conditions of use.

Slainte,

Jim

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