2. amps-preamps
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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 1 response by timlub

timlub
2,038 posts
 
Neutral, Natural,  what is it really.  I've had different amps with near identical frequency response,  yet one amp was fast, dynamic, while the other had flow & rhythm.  I've had others that sounded excellent with a perfectly flat speaker,  change to another perfectly flat speaker that had a very different load and it sounded different.  
Amps personality changes with different gear.  There is something to be said for synergy.  
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