View Full Version : OT : How many people are familiar with ?
BELAMP
09-10-2010, 02:43 PM
Deleted due to cynical ******* replies.
Pete Schumacher ®
09-10-2010, 03:29 PM
Just wondering how many members here are familiar with the BEL MK1001 MKIV amplifier ? It is not usually really well known, even though The Absolute Sound called it " the world's best amplifier " ...
Worlds best? Hmmm . . . big claim. What's the basis?
I've heard Class D, Class A, Class AB, Tripath. A well implemented amp run within its limits has no signature of its own to contribute. If output impedance and noise floor is low, T.I.M., I.M. and T.H.D. are well below .1%, and has a bandwidth that exceeds the audio spectrum, you're pretty much good to go.
After hearing these ClassDAudio amp modules, I'll stick with them. Lots of headroom, low distortion and noise. What else is there really?
johnnyrichards
09-10-2010, 03:33 PM
What else is there really?
Hefty price tags, shiny vacuum tubes and polished aluminum face plates, Pete.
Flint
09-10-2010, 03:39 PM
...shiny vacuum tubes...
Yeah Pete, none of the amps you mention can glow in the dark in quite the same way as a vacuum tube. You know how that soft orange glow imparts a sense of "warmth" to the sound.
Pete Schumacher ®
09-10-2010, 03:43 PM
Yeah Pete, none of the amps you mention can glow in the dark in quite the same way as a vacuum tube. You know how that soft orange glow imparts a sense of "warmth" to the sound.
But the ClassDAudio modules have orange AND blue LEDs.
I can always add a light bulb for that warm glow. :D
MSaturn
09-10-2010, 04:17 PM
haha, I was going to warn the OP about asking that sort of question here .. maybe I actually should have.
Note that Pete is correct, however. There's no magic to amps besides the factors he listed. The greatest advantage to be found at higher price points is stability into very low impedances and an almost total lack of distortion products (which is questionably audible since your speakers are contributing far more distortion at all times)
Flint
09-10-2010, 04:33 PM
Deleted due to cynical ******* replies.
Pete's response was not cynical in the slightest. He shared an intelligent perspective based on his understanding of the technical requirements of amplifier performance, and on extensive personal experience with a variety of equipment.
The rest of us may be making jokes, but only in response to the absurdity of "luxury" versions of technical devices.
BELAMP
09-10-2010, 04:52 PM
Pete's response was not cynical in the slightest. He shared an intelligent perspective based on his understanding of the technical requirements of amplifier performance, and on extensive personal experience with a variety of equipment.
The rest of us may be making jokes, but only in response to the absurdity of "luxury" versions of technical devices.
Ya ... nevermind. I forgot all about the "all speaker wire sounds the same crowd" ;)
Pete Schumacher ®
09-10-2010, 05:31 PM
Ya ... nevermind. I forgot all about the "all speaker wire sounds the same crowd" ;)
I wouldn't go that far.
If you added, "of equal gauge" to the sentence, then I would agree with you.
The point is, you posted about "best amp in the world" and I posted why that is a questionable claim.
What is the criteria for coming to that conclusion?
Noise, distortion, output impedance and bandwidth . . . what else is there besides looks?
Believe me, I'm not being cynical.
johnnyrichards
09-10-2010, 05:39 PM
I apologize if my post came across as cynical. It really is cynical, but not directed towards you. I think a lot of people listen with their eyes, especially with cables and amplifiers.
Pete - did you document your amp build anywhere?
Pete Schumacher ®
09-10-2010, 06:03 PM
I apologize if my post came across as cynical. It really is cynical, but not directed towards you. I think a lot of people listen with their eyes, especially with cables and amplifiers.
Pete - did you document your amp build anywhere?
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=218374
johnnyrichards
09-10-2010, 06:23 PM
Pete, that may just be one of the most marketable ideas that has ever surfaced on PE.
Pete Schumacher ®
09-10-2010, 06:28 PM
Pete, that may just be one of the most marketable ideas that has ever surfaced on PE.
Ssshhhhhhhhhhhhh. ;)
Ya ... nevermind. I forgot all about the "all speaker wire sounds the same crowd" ;)
Don't you just hate it? You ask for a "preamp" and they hit you over the head with computers and sound cards!
Pete Schumacher ®
09-10-2010, 11:26 PM
Don't you just hate it? You ask for a "preamp" and they hit you over the head with computers and sound cards!
A PC with sound IS a preamp. :D
A PC with sound IS a preamp. :D
No, a PC with a sound card can serve as preamp. It's still a computer.
Pete Schumacher ®
09-10-2010, 11:47 PM
No, a PC with a sound card can serve as preamp. It's still a computer.
"A preamplifier (preamp), or "control amp" is an electronic amplifier which prepares an electronic signal for further amplification or processing" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preamplifier)
A PC can serve as a preamp. There are preamps with computer chips in them. Does that make them computers and not preamps? Receivers and DVD players have computer chips in them too. PCs? How about gaming consoles? PCs?
A PC with sound card BUILT as a preamp, IS a preamp.
"A preamplifier (preamp), or "control amp" is an electronic amplifier which prepares an electronic signal for further amplification or processing" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preamplifier)
A PC can serve as a preamp. There are preamps with computer chips in them. Does that make them computers and not preamps? Receivers and DVD players have computer chips in them too. PCs? How about gaming consoles? PCs?
A PC with sound card BUILT as a preamp, IS a preamp.
Yeah, yeah.
If my preamp dies, I can take off the cover off, diagnose the circuit and replace the failed capacitor/resistor/transistor. If your PC dies can you do that? Not likely. You'll either be replacing the motherboard or a crashed hard drive and last but not least probably having to reinstall Windows.
Pete Schumacher ®
09-11-2010, 12:41 AM
Yeah, yeah.
If my preamp dies, I can take off the cover off, diagnose the circuit and replace the failed capacitor/resistor/transistor. If your PC dies can you do that? Not likely. You'll either be replacing the motherboard or a crashed hard drive and last but not least probably having to reinstall Windows.
I can email on my preamp. :p
I can email on my preamp. :p
Yeah and Al Gore invented the internet too.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming, The Global Warming Channel.
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