Originally posted by wingnut4772:
I think that amp manufacturers really need something new to get people to buy new amps. If you think about, it the amplifier portion of our systems is the one thing that really does not need upgrading. New bells and whistles, surround technology etc. has not really applied to the amplifier - one of the reasons separates are so appealing. The fact that the industry has come up with something 'new and improved' just makes me suspicious until it is way proven.
That's the attitude folks had when it was time to move from tubes to solid state. To this day, there are still die hards that say "tubes are better" and "there is no need to upgrade" and will spend thousands to put antique NOS tubes in their equipment. You could also make the same argument that a 1963 Corvair is just as good a grocery hauler as a Toyota Prius if you're willing to overlook enough warts. Time marches on.
Digital amplification is the next logical step. It sounds AT LEAST as good and is substantially more efficient. Unfortunately, when people hear about digital amps, they think of cheap class D designs (psst...open up your LFM and have a look at the amp) which tend not to sound that great and not more robust "audiophile" designs. If I'm going to foot the bill for the electricity, I'd rather those electrons be used to drive my speakers than to be radiated as heat by an inefficient amp. My next amp is definitely going to be digital (probably TACT or Lyngdorf).
Regards,
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