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Levinson 33 Archaic????

While telling a Pro-Audio buddy about Big Levinson, Pass, and GamuT amps and this was his response....

That's funny how these archaic amps designs think there the best and most powerful. Its funny because every so called high end sight claims there the best. Crown makes an amp that that is 10,560 watts into .85 ohm. Eighty (80) 250watt output transistors. Final output of 150 volts at an amazing 180 amps. Now that's high voltage and high amperage. Show me a amp that can beat that?

I know all this power really doesn't have anything to do with how it sounds...I was a bit shocked....what can I say?

By the way, how are the pro amps able to produce so much power out of a 120V/15A line with so little energy storage?

Thanks!
Mike
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slappy
903 posts
 
I agree with the others.
Just because an amp is powerful does not mean it sounds better.

That is like saying a SEMI is better than a Lexus because the SEMI has more power and can pull more.

Depending on the application, a crown amp might be better. Say, for PA gear and filling a staduim with sound.
That doesent mean it is nearly as refined as the other amps you mentioned, nor does it mean it sounds better.

Actually, i dont think i have ever seen KRELL or the others CLAIM to be the most powerful. but the most refined
audioarchon's avatar
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audioarchon OP
35 posts
 
Guys, thanks for your thoughts.

Slappy - the pro-audio guy read this on the Levinson site....

"The Nº33 is the most powerful high end amplifier in the world and will not be the limiting factor in the performance of any system."

It was all the ammunition this "my dad's bigger than your dad" guy needed :o)
weiserb's avatar
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weiserb
473 posts
 
Going by the numbers tube amplifiers should be the worst . In my opinion tubes sound the best
rex
245 posts
 
The key phrase is "high end amplifier."

Having owned Crown and other pro-audio sound-reinforcement amps when I was a recording musician/engineer, I would not characterize them as "high end." They did what they were meant to do - a relatively compact package providing lots and lots of power for PA systems and stage monitors. They were never meant to be the last word in refinement of audio quality, which is what a "high end" amplifier is meant to be.
ellery911
549 posts
 
I guess that's why all the Grateful Dead shows I went to sounded sooooo good. A stadium event using McIntosh Amps. I wonder what all the other bands use...that would be an interesting thread.
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