something to debate over!

[johnny5]

Hands up if you think different brands of amps sound different? Can one brand lets say Infinity sound better than Alpine? Now with all the settings set flat no bass expanders no filters no nothing, could you tell the difference between the 2? can an amp sound sonically better than the next?

[Timmah]

They sure can. All depends on the quality of the components inside the amp. But for most people they probably won't notice any difference and more from the sub or speakers instead.

[calibre]

As is the same in home audio, it also depends on the quality of other components in the system speakers, H/U etc, as to whether you will notice much difference, but as said above they definately have different sound signature depending on quality of internal components, capacitors, power caps etc.

Although in saying that the ideal is to have an amp that does not 'colour' the sound in any way (warm it up or make it brighter/harsher) and to give a flat response.

2c

[boon]

Yes. Tons of things affect it. I repair car audio amps so I know what goes on inside them.

2 good, well built amps I would have a hard time hearing the difference between but if we're talking a shitty amp vs a good one of the same power rating, I reckon you can hear a difference. Things like transistor rise times, slew rates on op-amps, all that good stuff.

[newsuba]

 johnny5 said:

Hands up if you think different brands of amps sound different? Can one brand lets say Infinity sound better than Alpine? Now with all the settings set flat no bass expanders no filters no nothing, could you tell the difference between the 2? can an amp sound sonically better than the next?

Definitely, whether you can hear a difference is another matter.

[nickch]

Like what the rest have said.. it also boils down to your speakers and other parts of your system.

Assuming a good set of speakers... and two extremes of quality of amps.. really shitty vs decent..

you will be able to tell the difference..

I guess the most important thing about amplifiers is the ability to:

1) Produce power up to its rating

2) Produce this power cleanly without distorting the signal

3) Produce this power cleanly and linearly across its rated frequency response..

This is the main 3 things I'd look for in an amp.. and not all these points are covered well enough in cheap amps..

[ADIKT]

Definitely. I had a shitty amp off trademe aaages ago cant remember what brand. Then i got a big earthquake amp and the sound quality was very noticeable. Of course there was a bit more power than the previous amp but it just sounds so much more clear.

[johnny5]

thats great got your attention not much audiophiles round these parts I'm on the level that if all things are the same power wise all working and warmed up properly running through the same speakers there should be no discernible difference noticeable to the human ear but its a great debate for sure heres the link I have been reading lately

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1114207

[ADIKT]

 johnny5 said:

thats great got your attention not much audiophiles round these parts I'm on the level that if all things are the same power wise all working and warmed up properly running through the same speakers there should be no discernible difference noticeable to the human ear but its a great debate for sure heres the link I have been reading lately

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1114207

They are all going to do the same thing... but i guess you get what you pay for... The more you pay the better its going to sound? :-\

[johnny5]

yea I believe in that motto to you really do get what you pay for these days

[newsuba]

Arghhhh AVS forum is one of the biggest collections of pocket billiards experts around !

[johnny5]

 newsuba said:

Arghhhh AVS forum is one of the biggest collections of pocket billiards experts around !

good reading though didnt say it was gospel but they all have valid points

[newsuba]

AVSF used to be good reading, too many shills on the site now for my liking.

Harking back to your comment about amps with same power etc., I've heard plenty of amps that have the same measured specs but sounded markedly different.

Simple changes in internal components like wiring, switches, capacitors, even the case material can have none too subtle effects on sound quality.

[nickch]

that motto was the saying back in 04-05 when I was active in NZICE..

still hasn't changed yet today...

until a company decides to make a loss at making great amps.. its never gonna change...

[Kiwi_Fozze]

im a bit of an audiophile... had over 5k worth in amps and speakers in my old skyline...

i tend to do my best with what iv got... i swear by pioneer headunits and infinity speakers...

[nickch]

lol.. I like the P80RS, but I run the Alpine 9855 R myself..

Thats as far as headunits go..

I'm FULLY on the Rainbow bandcamp here... Have a set of 2-way 6" Germaniums.. damn those crossovers are sexy...

But I must admit.. the DLS Ultimate Amps are pure audio porn... (go google internal pics)

[ADIKT]

 kwi_fozze said:

im a bit of an audiophile... had over 5k worth in amps and speakers in my old skyline...

i tend to do my best with what iv got... i swear by pioneer headunits and infinity speakers...

Im all for pioneer units. Although ive got a jvc in my run around POS and it actually isnt that bad!

[Kiwi_Fozze]

my old work car, a 2009 holden combo, the standard headunit in that wasnt bad, mind you, blaupunkt stuff is pretty damn good...

i had reference series 6.5in fronts with active crossovers and tweaters, and reference series 6x9s 3 way, when hooked up to the headunit they were kinda naff, once you amp those infinitys... wow they love it. used cheepo crappy subs as back in my youth i was only after volume, had a 1200w sony 2way amp and 2x sony subs.... good for getting noise control notices from 3 blocks away and for recieving a fine for broadcasting...

taste has refined somewhat, searching for a reasonable sound for cheep.

[ADIKT]

Im running

2x LTD edition Black carbon kevlar 1400w 400wrms sony subs. Individualy boxed

1x 2000w max 1000wrms monoblock earthquake amp. Using kicker 4gauge wiring and 100amp fuse.

jvc headunit

infinity comp series 6" rears with active crossovers and sony 4" dash speakers with tweeters..

Im bloody impressed with the sound quality!! except for the kronik rattle in my boot. Goes absolutly nuts when you give it a good tune and crank it. :

[johnny5]

I'm wit nick jumped on the DLS bandwagon a while ago but rainbow was to big for my pocket still running my Mrv 745 and mrd amp from alpine still goin strong after8 years quality stuff

[nickch]

 johnny5 said:

I'm wit nick jumped on the DLS bandwagon a while ago but rainbow was to big for my pocket still running my Mrv 745 and mrd amp from alpine still goin strong after8 years quality stuff

wish i could afford the iPauls or even the DLS Ultimates...

I have all my gear, welding cable, tsunami RCAs, E-Audio amps in a box...

Needs to save up for some dynamat and install stuff before i get my gear in my car..

Never ever want to run my speakers off the headunit..

19Wrms is not worth having the speakers in...

[boon]

I swing back and forth with audio. Went down the SQ route, went the SPL route, now I'm running a reasonably high-end JVC headunit to stock speakers. I can't bring myself to put decent speakers and amps blah blah in a car that I bought for going quickly in.

My audio collection in the garage is ridiculous. I don't think anyone on here would even come close, with all modesty.

[johnny5]

hahaha Shall we all flop it out see whos got the biggest? ;D ;D ;D

[ADIKT]

All my sounds are in my run around... I got nothing in the rex at all... Except the stock tweeters in the front doors and rear parcel tray lol

[johnny5]

 ADIKT said:

All my sounds are in my run around... I got nothing in the rex at all... Except the stock tweeters in the front doors and rear parcel tray lol

+1 yea nothing but stock sounds in the rex even the crap doubledin from kenwood that V7s come with but got my other car daisy bout to be ballin bg mazda familia autobot with 3 hubcaps lost one goin round the gorge rd