I just watched a review posted about 9 months ago by Steve Guttengerg. He was reviewing the NAD M23 which is a class d amp based on the Purifi Eigentakt module. It caught my attention because a year or two ago I built an amp from a kit that uses the Purifi Eigentakt evaluation modules. My experience with my kit, compared to the McIntosh amp it replaced was very similar to what Steve found in his review - that it is very transparent and just passes the source through without alteration (other than making it larger) and with negligible regard for the load (speakers) being driven. Based on my own experience and Steve’s comments, I’m at a loss for what more to ask of an amplifier- other than more power, whether I need it or not.
According to Steve, the amp being reviewed exceeded the others he compared it to in clarity, transparency, detail, speaker control and probably some other things. This got me to wondering - is this what everyone wants?
My goal has always been to have a system that will reproduce what the microphone heard or what the producer intended me to hear when a recording was made. With such a system, I can use dsp, tone controls or an equalizer to color the sound any way I want but I always want to start from the baseline of being able to hear what was recorded.
Listening to some of Steve’s comments in his review, I’m led to think that some people are seeking a system that colors the original in a particular way suited to their taste so I thought I’d ask you guys. What are you looking for in a system?
The aural equivalent of a well exposed and developed large format negative taken with high quality equipment on a good tripod. Then printd with care. Shadows and highlights, contrast, and color balance to my liking. A large negative and great lens along with using a tripod will make for great detail.
My goal is to convince spouse that spend $2000 for speakers is a great deal,and not to poison the meatballs for spending $2000
My goal is to be “at the concert” every time… Doesn’t mean I want my ears to bleed but god damn I love a good kick drum!
I’ve met my goal.
To have the music sound “right” to me. My dad is a musician, so I grew up around a lot of live music, and still do today. I came to conclusion that for me, 100% sterile and flat playback, often doesn’t sound like I expect it too. Going for “warmer” sounding speakers corrects this by adding whatever it is that I feel is lost in recorded vs live music.
seems to be a vehicle for nerding out. sometimes about music, sometimes about kit.
To enjoy music. To me this is moving to it’s rhythm, listening to individual instruments as well as all together and, at best, be emotionally affected by music.
A distant second is convenience and not having to make a big fuss to use and maintain it
Enjoy music.
What drives most audiophiles, and is a side effect, rather the goal, is an intense interest in what makes recorded music sound better.
Underrated comment. Enjoy music! We live in a world of phone speakers, Bluetooth earbuds, and portable Bluetooth speakers. My setup is something most on this thread would call entry level, but it got me to slow down, focus, and truly enjoy music. From it came a new passion to learn about what makes music sound better. This sub has taught many of us that we can easily lose sight and spend our lives and money trying to experience the what rather than the joy of music.
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Color is distortion. You can always add distortion and color later. I shoot for fidelity.
The interesting thing is to go look at what amplifier Steve actually owns and uses on his own gear. Realize that reviewers only get free equipment to review if they give it a good review. I believe he is fully invested in a low watt tube amp. So there must be something about that tube amp that sounds better than the purifi amp or he would have switched. Whether you would also prefer tubes or not is up to you but you won’t know unless you listen to some of each.
My goal is to collect as many cool pieces of audio equipment and to blast my favorite songs.
My main goal is to make a system that I want to sit down and enjoy each night. I’m finding that vintage gets me there. Do I like listening to distortion? Maybe? I got the class D Aiyima A07 Max recently and I’m sure it measures incredible but I couldn’t get it out of my system fast enough. So boring and without life. I keep discovering this over and over with class T and then class D amps. I don’t know why I keep doing it to myself.
There’s no medal for having ultra low distortion amps that you never even want to turn on. I’m sure my AV receiver measures awesome too but it is almost unlistenable with music. Yet I go to the vintage store and the Marantz etc. just rolls out the beautiful sound I want to settle down, listen to and enjoy. My gf’s Pioneer SX-737 makes me want to sit there and listen.
I felt similarly about amps until I got a very special preamp. I had the Freya+ and tubes are fun, but I doubled down and everything changed. I don’t worry about the sound of amps, they just do what they are told, but amplifying tiny signals does seem to change things. Not to mention the volume knob!
Right now im only heavy into headphones, speaker system is fine considering I use it very rarely, besides on low volumes to not anoy everyone.
Now for headphones right now I just want to get a tube amp (probably Feliks Elise) for the 800s and maaaybe down the line an end game closed back as well, Im probably done with open backs. Liric and Verite Closed look interesting.
I’ve found my AB amp sounds identical to class D amps. I am not convinced that even a Class A will sound different until I hear it for myself
My main goal is for music cause me to have an emotion. Luckily, a transistor radio can accomplish this.