Even though I have many years of experience in audio, the biggest hurdle is I have absolutely no electronics experience even though i’m trying to figure things out by hanging around here, I have realized my best bet would be to dive in and build one of nelsons easier class A amps to get some experience.
But in this case I don’t mind paying someone to do what I cannot.....or at very least teach me hands on.
But in this case I don’t mind paying someone to do what I cannot.....or at very least teach me hands on.
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The class A amplifier can be a very nice way to start in this hobby as there are designs that are simple to understand - but can be more expensive because you need a large power supply and heat sink - if you can get these things locally that could be a bonus. but the heat they generate might not be what you want in Florida .
There are also relatively simple class aB amplifier designs e.g. the classic RCA type circuit from the 1970s, something like my TGM1, the DX amplifier or the AKSA amplifier, what is sometimes referred to as the blameless amplifier - will teach you a lot about audio amplifiers and give you good sound... but even so, they are more complicated than something like Nelson passed Zen amplifier.
There are also relatively simple class aB amplifier designs e.g. the classic RCA type circuit from the 1970s, something like my TGM1, the DX amplifier or the AKSA amplifier, what is sometimes referred to as the blameless amplifier - will teach you a lot about audio amplifiers and give you good sound... but even so, they are more complicated than something like Nelson passed Zen amplifier.
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Bob,
You can go ahead and trade it, but for what? The guys are right about Class A amps for learning, if learning about power amps is what you want to spend your spare time doing. If you want great sound and are in that so-called 5% population that is very picky about perfect sound then probably only some state of the art power amp will satisfy you. Building something like that on a diy basis is very unlikely. For you at least, the 'blameless' amps will end up with you blaming them. Simple Class A like Nelson's designs can sound pretty good, and sometimes can be easily improved, but not a path to SOA. Also, what you have already been told about heat and so on is very true. Anyway, first what is it you want to do with your time and resources? Learn electronics? Build projects that may cost you more than than buying something? Get something for nothing? 🙂
Bob, I do not mean to discourage but you need to consider that the Firstwatt way of doing things is a different school. Works well with high to medium efficiency driver for low to moderate listening level, my cup of tea but perhaps not exactly yours. The finesse seems to leave the room on high SPL.
This should be in a sticky somewhere on this site. It is very easy to develop unrealistic expectations.
Perfect sound? When you cannot stop listening. In this respect, I am easily satisfied. ToS 🙂
Have you actually met and / or interviewed one of those 5%? I think not.
Nonsense. 🙄 You must not be aware of the amount of imperfections produced by speakers compared to typical amps on the market these days.
What 5%ers? 🙂 The people that know perfect sound when they hear it?
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well beyond all the bs I'm pretty happy with my yamaha
rn 803 integrated. was hoping to 'upgrade' with the Hint......but maybe should be looking at the higher grade of AS series yamahas (the 803 amp topology is based on that)
I really can't help the fact that I can tell differences so I must be a so called 5%'er
if it really were bias it would have been in favor of the Hint......try as I may there's just no love I can muster in its current form.
rn 803 integrated. was hoping to 'upgrade' with the Hint......but maybe should be looking at the higher grade of AS series yamahas (the 803 amp topology is based on that)
I really can't help the fact that I can tell differences so I must be a so called 5%'er
if it really were bias it would have been in favor of the Hint......try as I may there's just no love I can muster in its current form.
Yeah, that's it. It happened to me yesterday while listening to some classical music through my stereo system. Well, that makes me one of 5%ers I guess. All these years I never knew.
Statistically there's a very good chance that the vast majority of the members and even of the people who view this site are so called 5%ers
Matt, if the 95% are the normals, it would be logical to lump the deaf, other hearing impaired and other abnormals and weirdos like psychic who hears sounds coming from spirit world into the 5%.
I do not believe in the divisive and exclusively elitist idea of there being any such thing as a 5%’er.
Anyone who listens long enough and diligently enough will eventually gain an understanding and appreciation of sound - possibly music even. I think a lot of the difficulties that arise in these types of discussion is that the English language is not very good for subtle depictions of nuanced audio.
Grainy? Is that the same as bitcrushed? - see what I mean! ToS
Anyone who listens long enough and diligently enough will eventually gain an understanding and appreciation of sound - possibly music even. I think a lot of the difficulties that arise in these types of discussion is that the English language is not very good for subtle depictions of nuanced audio.
Grainy? Is that the same as bitcrushed? - see what I mean! ToS
There are all sorts of ways to evaluate/measure people and classify them into groups. IQ is a very well known one, for one example. Whether or not the people who wish to classify are trying to create elitism, or whether elitism is an inevitable byproduct of classification, I don't know.
Agree with you that most people can learn to listen for reproduction sound quality, for musical structure, for a new (to them) spoken language, etc. Usually takes some practice and a coach/instructor can often help a lot, but that is not mandatory.
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Markw4,
There was indeed a time long before the introduction of IQ testing became ubiquitous as a way of social classification for counteracting increased mobility as generated by the industrial revolution where elitism became the goal and not merely a byproduct of said classification. I am in part reflecting upon the turmoil my country is going through at present.
And you are right, ear training is not mandatory, but by trying harder, it certainly helps. To an untrained ear my dulcet tones as conveyed by my lovely regional accent often give the impression that I am, shall we say, a little bit thick and somewhat rough around the edges. So classless, I act thicker and rougher. You can learn an awful lot about someone’s innate prejudices and save an inordinate amount of precious time in this way.
I must confess that I have stayed away from diyAudio for awhile and instead have concentrated upon my visual work while listening to a lot of new music. ToS
Best definition so far. It must have been a difficult request (more likely ignored)
Then which language is?
Let me guess, Viennese German (Wienerisch)? Vienna being the mecca of music for centuries, the language / dialect may have been refined for such case?
Then which language is?
Let me guess, Viennese German (Wienerisch)? Vienna being the mecca of music for centuries, the language / dialect may have been refined for such case?
Perhaps 😉
Historically, most Europeans speak at least one other, and often several more languages besides their mother tongue. Very useful. From what I remember from a meagre smattering of learning German at school, it is a wonderfully precise descriptive language well geared to the mapping out of musical theory and technique.