2. amps-preamps
  3. 147886-11297

Should an amp have a "personality"?

I currently have a SimAudio W-7 amp.  If there is a word to describe its sound, it would be NEUTRALITY precisely capitalized.  I mean it is neutral to a fault.  It's NOT warm, or bright, or analytical, or sweet, or anything that might be misconstrued as a personality.  It's just "IS".  It has nothing that would offend me but nothing that is endearing either.  I suppose some people may like this type of sound.  I also have another SimAudio Moon W-3 amp, and although it is neutral, but it has a distinct personality of being slightly forward, slightly upfront and ultimately more interesting to listen to.  

At this point, I am a bit disappointed what the W7 is not "FOR".  I want its sound to be FOR something be it slightly warm, or forward, or a touch bright or something that is a bit interesting even if it is a flaw.  It's like a politician who wouldn't say he's for something at the risk of offending his potential voters.  

PASS Labs amps are known to be a bit warm in the bass along with all their class A type of sound just as tube amps but they somehow make music sings.  
andy2

Showing 2 responses by knownothing

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knownothing
1,535 posts
 
per·son·al·i·ty  NOUN  
the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.

What is the distintive character of your source, speakers and room?  Seems to me that the amp would be the 4th place I would look to infuse personality in a system.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,535 posts
 
In rereading the OP, it sounds like “neutrality” actually means “boring”. Is it also “transparent” to source and speakers such that whatever the end product is truthfully reflects the character of all the other components in the system, regardless of how forward, laid back, strident, warm, fast, etc. or does the W7 always sound “neutral” regardless of what upstream or downstream?  If the later, then I would say “neutrality” is a problem.
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