Resolution is a function of the source material.

All the amp does is amplify the low voltage signal boosted by the preamp from that source. The issue is with what degree of distortion is that accomplished by the amplifier.

Anything above say 0.1% is too much. A few comparable amps, varying in price from $200 to $8k, show a THD/IMD of 0.005% over a 5hz-50khz+ frequency range, and Output impedance of <0.4ohm, for instance.

Regardless of even the resolution, or amount of musical informantion recorded on the source, if the speakers are not sufficitently transparent you will not hear it, even if the signal gets to them with little or no distortion.

There, dipole speakers tend for outperform monopole enclosed cabinet designs, and tend to render those pesky room modes less of a problem by not getting them so exicted with their figure 8, front to back, radiation pattern. Where, aside from the inherent cabinet resonance anomolies, which a port does not resolve, the box speaker designs radiate at 360 degrees, and you know the rest. They keep the acoustic treatment device manufactureres in business.

For a rich resource of truth in all things audio, see: http://www.linkwitzlab.com

didactically October 25, 2004 18:21

In my opinion the Maggies put you more into true hi-fi than most audiophiles of the 'connoissers of coloration' ilk, who rather use they system to achieve some sound or other that appeals to their subjective taste, which is so illusive, that they tend to never be satisified with their system and are ever looking for a wire, isolation device, or voltage purifier, or whatever, to get some satisfaction. It is pathetic. I mean, what about the music? and how 'it' sounds.

Of course the more 'sound' the system has, regarless of any glowing and affectionate poetic terms it may be described is still just distortion, and only comes between you and the music the way the artists performed it.

If you rather than change the Preamp put the money into a distortion free amp, you will well on your way. There are relatively distortion free solid state amps ranging in price from $200 to $8k: the vintage Hafler DH-200/220, Muse 160; BEL1001 (obsolete); any ATI (probably the best bargain); the pricy Bry$ton; and Jeff Rowland's works of art,that you an hang on the wall they are so beautiful.

They tend to have THD/IMD ratings of <0.005% over frequency ranges of say 5hz-50khz+, and low Output Imedance of <0.4ohms.

Then with proper setup in your room, you will be able to easily discern the sonic quality (or lack thereof :-) of the source material such that no doubt many of your favorite albums will become intolerable.

But the payoff is in hearing for the first time the sonic superiority of the well produced and engieered albums.

BTW there is a list of tested and proven sonically superior reference quality CD's at http://www.linkwitzlab.com Muisic link in a variety of genres.

Look around while there. The site is an excellent resourse for truth in all things audio. Check out why dipole speaker are superior to the enclosed cabinet designs especially since you have dipoles yourself and are not congnizant of how special they are :-)

didactically October 24, 2004 15:59