In article , Eeyore wrote:


Rob wrote:

Eeyore wrote:
Once only wrote:
wrote in message

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.
Bandwidth and an amps ability to pump out the amperes
when fronted with an awkward load etc etc etc.
If I were you the first thing is to not pay too much attention
to the big girls blouses of this group.
Do yourself a favour, don't heed mag reviewers advice either.
Try the pre-owned market, plenty of stereo bargains to be had.
This is just one example, the Pioneer A400 was a huge success
because of it ultra wide stable bandwidth (5 - 100) and it's
impressive ability to drive any loudspeaker and remain stable -
thats the ability to churn out amperes!
It sold by the truck load and often crops up in the for sale ads,
and it is proven to be a rugged longstander, can be picked up
for less than £100. But then there are others, Nad, and even Sony
from the late 80's and early 90's.
First port of call believe it or not would be Cash Converters,
then the specialist pre-owned dealers, then the small ads.
Once you've found a model, look it up!
Don't bother with Naim or Arcam, over-priced and nothing
special.

But don't buy antiques. No matter how well they were supposed to sound. All
the electrolytic caps will need replacing and standards weren't as high
then.
Modern amplifiers are much better on the whole.

cross-posted intentionally to rec.audio tech

I have a 20 year old (at least) NAD 3020 - works perfectly but sounds
distinctly soft/mellow compared to a newish SS amp, and indeed an even
older Pioneer receiver. Is this a symptom of old caps, and/or poor design?

I know the 3020 moderately well. It was very well regarded (and designed - I
fact I
met the designer) and should still sound at least decent today. At that age,
recapping the electrolytic caps specifically is likely to be a good move.
Especially if you're competent with a soldering iron yourself or have a friend
who
is. The parts won't cost much.

I have gone over many amps, and its really rare that I would need to replace
the main caps. Many times the smaller caps will go bad. If I were really
going over an amp in every detail, if I had plenty of time, then I might
check the main caps, or even buffer them. Its likely an amp will sound
just fine if not driven hard with lossy main caps. If it can obtain max
power with resonable distortion then I would not touch the main caps.

greg



You don't have the 'soft clip' engaged do you ? That would make it mellower.
Also
clean ALL the input and output sockets. Damn RCA / phono / Cinch crap !

Funnily enough, around the time of the 3020 I nearly worked as a designer for
NAD.
The deal breaker was that I wanted to do it on contract and they wanted me full
time. I can still remember the excellent lunch they took me out for btw ! Super
Italian.

Graham