Do amplifiers sound different

[RoA]

Fantastic video from the ever reliable and knowledgeable Erin. It should please both camps.

View: https://youtu.be/2YqWCX5WcVg?feature=shared

 

[landco]

No.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Given the wide range of architectures, components, power supplies etc, I would be staggered if all amps would sound the same with all speakers under all loads. The tautness of my MF amps' bass is audibly different to the previous Arcams.

 

[Steve983]

Of course they do.

 

[abacus]

Very good video, as he provided verifiable evidence of the differences (Unlike some posters in forums), however this has been known since the first amps were produced.
He forgot mention the power supply and output stage which also plays a big part in how the amp can drive the speakers, as if the amp cannot provide enough current for lower impedance loads the sound will change.
This has been known for decades and easily measurable so fully verified, after having said that if driving a pure resistive 8 ohm load then differences will be small (Frequency response, distortion variations etc.) so those that say say amps are all the same are correct, but in the real world it is not just black and white.

Bill

 

[matthewpianist]

I have no idea whether it's the amplifier itself that sounds different or the synergy with the loudspeaker, but there certainly is a difference somewhere in there. May A5 sounds wonderful, detailed and dynamic with Dali and Dynaudio, but woolly and dead with ELAC.

 

[SteveH72]

Should amplifiers sound the same? Yes. All they should do is add gain.
Do amplifiers sound the same? I’m not sure that’s the right question. I think they present differently.

 

[RJW232]

When loaded with a pure resistance, the output should be identical for all amplifiers (assuming they are properly designed and within the amps specifications). But a loudspeaker isn't a pure resistance. A loudspeaker interacts with the amplifiers output stages. This can impact power delivery, frequency response, bass handling etc. So two amplifiers can sound different on the same loudspeaker.

 

[Gray]

I reckon the thread title can be answered with a simple question:
Have you ever changed amps and heard NO change in sound?