Choosing a decent amplifier for your loudspeakers is not a trivial task. You want to guarantee that your amp matches your loudspeakers. I will clarify some main amplifier terms and give some pointers to assist you choose the best amplifier.
Audio amplifiers are available in all different shapes and sizes. They utilize different technologies and have countless technical specs. However, you don't have to be an expert to choose the best type. By following some basic rules you won't regret your buying decision.
One important parameter is the size of the amplifier. You can get models which can fill half a room. In contrast, a number of of the latest miniature amplifier types are no larger than a deck of cards. A large number of amplifiers are the size of a typical rack. This allows your amp to be stacked on top of your other audio equipment. There are various core amplifier technologies available. One technology is named "solid-state". Solid-state amplifiers now account for the majority of audio amplifiers. In the past, tube amplifiers have been popular. Even today tube amplifiers are still available. Though, tube amps have relatively high audio distortion. Audio distortion refers to how much the audio signal is being degraded whilst passing through the amp and is given in percent. This value is often used when comparing the audio quality of amplifiers.
The majority of recent audio amps are based on solid-state technology whilst a small portion is based on tube technology which has been popular over a decade ago. However, tube amps have fairly high audio distortion. Audio distortion refers to how much the audio signal is being degraded while passing through the amplifier and is given in percent. This value is frequently used when comparing the audio quality of amplifiers.
In contrast, "Class-D" amps which are also referred to as "digital amplifiers" offer a power efficiency of generally 80 to 90%. This permits the amp and power supply to be made a great deal smaller than analog amplifiers. As a consequence of the switching output stage, digital amplifiers normally have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. On the other hand, some of the newest models are capable to reduce distortion to 0.05% and less by employing a feedback mechanism.
Another technology is named "Class-D". This technology offers far higher power efficiency than analog amplifiers, normally around 80 to 90%. "Class-D" amplifiers are also referred to as "digital amplifiers". As a consequence of the switching output stage, digital amps usually have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. On the other hand, a number of of the latest types are capable to minimize distortion to 0.05% and lower by using a feedback mechanism. The amplifier should be able to offer enough output power to sufficiently drive your loudspeakers which will depend not only on how much power your loudspeakers can tolerate but also on the size of your listening area. There are two values for speaker power handling: peak and average power handling. The peak value indicates how much power the loudspeaker can handle for short periods of time. The average value on the other hand describes how much power the loudspeaker can tolerate constantly without harm.
If your listening environment is fairly small then you may not require to drive your loudspeaker to its rated power handling value. You would almost certainly be good getting an amp that can deliver 20 to 50 Watts although your loudspeakers might be capable to handle 100 Watts of power. Low-impedance loudspeakers generally offer high sensitivity and are less difficult to drive to high volume than high-impedance loudspeakers. Check your amplifier manual to make sure that your amplifier can drive your loudspeaker impedance.
Finally, be certain that your amplifier introduces little noise and has a broad enough frequency response. High-quality amplifiers will have a signal-to-noise ratio of at the very least 100 dB and a frequency response of at least 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Audio amplifiers are available in all different shapes and sizes. They utilize different technologies and have countless technical specs. However, you don't have to be an expert to choose the best type. By following some basic rules you won't regret your buying decision.
One important parameter is the size of the amplifier. You can get models which can fill half a room. In contrast, a number of of the latest miniature amplifier types are no larger than a deck of cards. A large number of amplifiers are the size of a typical rack. This allows your amp to be stacked on top of your other audio equipment. There are various core amplifier technologies available. One technology is named "solid-state". Solid-state amplifiers now account for the majority of audio amplifiers. In the past, tube amplifiers have been popular. Even today tube amplifiers are still available. Though, tube amps have relatively high audio distortion. Audio distortion refers to how much the audio signal is being degraded whilst passing through the amp and is given in percent. This value is often used when comparing the audio quality of amplifiers.
The majority of recent audio amps are based on solid-state technology whilst a small portion is based on tube technology which has been popular over a decade ago. However, tube amps have fairly high audio distortion. Audio distortion refers to how much the audio signal is being degraded while passing through the amplifier and is given in percent. This value is frequently used when comparing the audio quality of amplifiers.
In contrast, "Class-D" amps which are also referred to as "digital amplifiers" offer a power efficiency of generally 80 to 90%. This permits the amp and power supply to be made a great deal smaller than analog amplifiers. As a consequence of the switching output stage, digital amplifiers normally have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. On the other hand, some of the newest models are capable to reduce distortion to 0.05% and less by employing a feedback mechanism.
Another technology is named "Class-D". This technology offers far higher power efficiency than analog amplifiers, normally around 80 to 90%. "Class-D" amplifiers are also referred to as "digital amplifiers". As a consequence of the switching output stage, digital amps usually have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. On the other hand, a number of of the latest types are capable to minimize distortion to 0.05% and lower by using a feedback mechanism. The amplifier should be able to offer enough output power to sufficiently drive your loudspeakers which will depend not only on how much power your loudspeakers can tolerate but also on the size of your listening area. There are two values for speaker power handling: peak and average power handling. The peak value indicates how much power the loudspeaker can handle for short periods of time. The average value on the other hand describes how much power the loudspeaker can tolerate constantly without harm.
If your listening environment is fairly small then you may not require to drive your loudspeaker to its rated power handling value. You would almost certainly be good getting an amp that can deliver 20 to 50 Watts although your loudspeakers might be capable to handle 100 Watts of power. Low-impedance loudspeakers generally offer high sensitivity and are less difficult to drive to high volume than high-impedance loudspeakers. Check your amplifier manual to make sure that your amplifier can drive your loudspeaker impedance.
Finally, be certain that your amplifier introduces little noise and has a broad enough frequency response. High-quality amplifiers will have a signal-to-noise ratio of at the very least 100 dB and a frequency response of at least 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
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