Why does my amp sound better than my receiver?

[Geoffcin]

One's imagination might inflate the differences -- but there are real differences.

I just replace my venerable Phase Linear 400 because I thought I had a broken rectifier bridge; turns out it was only a ground loop largely fixed by fiddling the connections. However I tried out a NAD C270 before I knew that.

The thing is, I really did not expect the NAD to be better, but it was. At first listen I thought it sounded soft, maybe lacking in detail. In fact, I was only missing the '70 solid state "etch". On further listening, I discovered the NAD to be at least equally detail and more airy and transparent. (For all that, the Phase probably has the tighter bass).

Needless to say I kept the NAD. BTW, a huge bargain at Cdn$575, about US$430.

Glad to hear your Phase Linear is still topside.

I know it's hard to belive but it's true. While the old stuff is good, the new stuff can be better. After doing a bunch of A/B's with my vintage PS Audio 200c amp compared to my Musical Fidelity A3cr it's become pretty obvious that the Musical Fidelity is a "better" amp. More transparent, cleaner, right up until it runs out of gas, and that's really way too loud to be listening anyway.

[Sealed]

Glad to hear your Phase Linear is still topside.

I know it's hard to belive but it's true. While the old stuff is good, the new stuff can be better. After doing a bunch of A/B's with my vintage PS Audio 200c amp compared to my Musical Fidelity A3cr it's become pretty obvious that the Musical Fidelity is a "better" amp. More transparent, cleaner, right up until it runs out of gas, and that's really way too loud to be listening anyway.

I have the A3.2 preamp which sounds great stock. It sounds like something you'd get for around $5k. Fast, musical, etc.

I modded mine by sheilding the toroids and case, and just installed bypass caps on the power supply caps. This thing went from great sounding to wet-your-pants great! The sheer speed and openness it has now really pull you into the music.

[Geoffcin]

I have the A3.2 preamp which sounds great stock. It sounds like something you'd get for around $5k. Fast, musical, etc.

I modded mine by sheilding the toroids and case, and just installed bypass caps on the power supply caps. This thing went from great sounding to wet-your-pants great! The sheer speed and openness it has now really pull you into the music.

Nice deal!

I'ld like to say that I wanted to hear this but I DON'T! Actually, I know my preamp is probably the next thing to go, and of course having a Musical Fidelity amp thier preamp is on my short list. The one saving grace is that the PS Audio IV preamp has a passive setting, and my amps have so much gain that I rarely ever have to use anything but the passive setting.