So, do all amplifiers sound the same?

The whole point of ABX is to determine whether the apparent differences really exist.

If an amp measures the same (THD, watts, noise, linearity  etc) it's hard to see how it could sound different from another, no matter whether it's valve, class A or made from vegemite.

That isn't saying they all sound the same, but.

Now that's how to argue both sides of the debate at the same time! 

Nah - two amps that measure slightly different are going to sound a bit different.

Do amplifiers sound the same?

 

No they don't.

 

I am sorry to be rude, but what a silly question.

...but do any two amps from different brands ever measure identically in every area? 

Perhaps it is (a silly question) but why do you think they sound different?

regards

Do amplifiers sound the same ... NO, they most certainly do not.

Why... the reasons are complex and go way beyond the basic specs often quoted. But its not magic or some unknown and unmeasurable quantity. Of prime importance are the absolute levels of distortion and the makeup of that distortion, in other words the relative levels of F2, F3, F4 (the harmonics) and so on. That the ear can pick up on these seemingly small differences is amazing... but it does. Also how well (and in what way) does the amplifier respond to signals fed into the speaker output. A speaker is also a microphone don't forget. And that speaker interconnect picks up a lot of easily measurable "rubbish" from the surrounding environment which is applied directly to the amplifiers output "port". Put all that mix and more into the equation and things start to get interesting... and its why some designs absolutley blow the "competition" out of the water sonically, when the "specs" would suggest otherwise.

Trust your ears and what you hear.

    

I don't think that they sound different. They do sound different. I have ears and use them to determine the differences.

That's ok then, debate ended!

Interesting...Humm.. I for one think so much attention to detail is paid to an expensive amp than would be paid to a less expensive one(by this I mean mixing & matching, Amps & speakers, cables.. etc).. The reason being, when an expensive Amp or speaker does not give us the sound quality we expect from it, we willing to go that extra mile to justify the price per ratio performance... When u look at it this way it begins to make sense.

Do amps sound the same .... Almost...

http://www.douglas-self.com/ampins/pseudo/subjectv.htm

Appreciate that and in all fairness, it is how most normal (think non-nerd) people approach the issue. Actually make that most people full stop.

Question though; Do you know that even a very small difference in volume can change how a product directly compared to another one could be perceived? In this case it maybe an amplifier though it could also be a source component? - For the moment we leave out psychological factors such as expectation or like/dislike of visual appearance or even issues concerning memory if the products are not tested at the same time.

regards

Not needed though. It wouldn't produce different results. The differences are not minor.  May as well ask me to compare the difference in taste between an apple and an orange blindfolded.

Oh I see, so at least one of them is badly flawed?