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Originally Posted by capone28 pretty much any amplifier company that is decent will do the job. Amplifiers has no effect on SQ. |
I have do disagree completely with you capone...
Even though I believe that there is inflated hype about some brands of audio equipment, there is a world of difference between LQ and HQ amps. Yes, an amplifier is an amplifier, but what you are amplifying, the processing of the signal, and the output power of different amps are the focus.
From a SPL standpoint (Sound Pressure Level or loudness), expensive amps usually rate their amps at the RMS value. The RMS value means root means squared and is trhe average output. This RMS value is much more important than peak power output since peak output is very short lived. Also, expensive amp manufacturers many times "lie" (in a positive way) about their power output. For example: My JL 250/1 Class D Amplifier outputs 413 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms instead of its proposed 250 Watt output. Its peak output is 832 Watts. This was tested on a bench at my workplace- a custom car audio/video/tuning shop. Also, these power claims are made at a common 4 Ohms and most expensive amps are stable at lower speaker impedences (which most of the time means more power). Other amplifier manufactures "lie" in a negative way about their power output. They will claim 1800 Watts. What they do not tell you is that the output is a MAX output was probably measured at a lower impedence than what the amp was designed (voiding the warranty and possibly frying the amp) or at a frequency that the amp is not designed to reproduce (usually a higher frequency). A true test is to have the amp benchmarked to determine its power output.
From a Sound Quality standpoint, expensive amps have better designed filters and signal processing increasing the sound quality. Also, many expensive amps have additional features like subsonic filtering, anti-distortion filters, and steeper crossover filters, increasing sound quality and power and preventing undesired frequencies to pass throught the amplifier and into the amp.
The whole amplifier game is a balance between what you deem as important and what sounds good to you. Obviously, an audiophile is not goin to stand for a low quality, inexpensive amp. Its a game of personal preference, and not any amp will do the job...
