Different amplifier class for different music genres?


I was reading a review of the Gryphon Antileon Evo in another forum and one user was saying that in the High bias mode the amplifier was excellent for classical music but not so good for metal or hard rock, perhaps softening the transients. For metal or hard rock he preferred the Low bias mode and he suggested that the Gryphon Diablo will be more suitable for this type of music (of course one is a final amp, the other an integrated one).

So the question is: does the class of the amplifier matter or better suit the type of music you are listening to? 

I have never owned a class A amplifier and I am itching to try some. I am currently using Hypex based diy monos driving Vienna Acoustics Mahler speakers.

greg_f
The way it works is this, and it’s written in stone by the world’s most renowned amplifier designers:

Mixed music genres: Class AB (mixed class amp)

Single music genre: Class A (it’s pure)

Digital sources, syntho-pop, rap/hip-hop, computer generated artificial music: 
Class D (keep it all digital)

All genres pre-1965: Tube amps (keep tube sources in the tube house)

Its all very simple. So many in here have it all so screwed up!
Different amps for different music would be a real waste. One appropriate amp is all that should ever be required.

But it is probably useful to look at this a level higher. You can pretty easily accidentally put your system together which favors certain kinds of music. If you use say three CDs when auditioning equipment (or streamed tunes). Optimizing on those can send you in a direction to sub optimize others. It’s a system, so the speakers, amp, preamp, all effect the outcome. I loved the ethereal sound of some electronics CDs and had used them as test disks about 30 years ago and it had taken me off in a planar direction. Made several decisions that optimized these, but really sub optimized classical and rock. Which made me buy massive ss amps to power them. I started attending all acoustic classical music concerts regularly. I immediately, although completely unconsciously changed course and over ten years completely revamped my systems. Now all music types sound simply spectacular. 

So you need compatible components that support each other… so you don’t have to swap out a component for particular music types. You could easily end up with two or three separate systems. But you also have to tune the whole system to the sound you value. I think the safest bet is true fidelity. I realized the importance for this when I started attending the symphony. I found that the symphony provides an actual empirical ruler to judge actual system fidelity. The symphony provides sound levels from the very quietest to the maximum volume, every variety of instrument, in solo and en mass, un-amplified, unmastered. Live acoustic jazz also helps. But amplified electronic, rock, etc. are subject to amplification live so are not good for a reference. With this as a reference you have a target… and all music types will rise in quality as your system improves. You will still have cuts to audition, but if behind it all you have a real absolute ruler, you have a guiding light.

Just some thoughts about how to aim at system design.
@redwoodaudio, thank you. I did ask a genuine question, there are people in here who think they know it all and are frankly rude. Anyway, I agree with you about system synergy and a small change can alter the overall system sound. While I would like to upgrade my amps, I am concerned about getting something which does not fit with the rest of my system. Unfortunately where I live currently there is little to no chance of home auditioning. I will be buying second hand.

I think a new thread is needed to ask for amp recommendations for my speakers.


High bias mode the amplifier was excellent for classical music but not so good for metal or hard rock, perhaps softening the transients.


If that were the case, then the amp or it’s power supply is not up to scratch for the current draw of the high Class-A bias mode, and is being starved/overloaded somewhere.
As more Class-A in my experience should if done right, only makes everything even bigger, more transparent, less hard and 3D, as well as the bass not being 2 dimensional. And the sound should sound like it’s coming from everywhere in the image but not from the speaker drivers themselves.

Cheers George