Double Bass Effect of Power Amp on Tone?

[SamuelHarris]

Would there be an audible difference in sound between two different Class D power amps if the same bass, pickup, preamp and speakers were used with both? How much of the tonal differences between 'digital' amps is the preamp and how much is the power amp?

I ask primarily because I hope to use a nice microphone (such as the DPA4099) with my amp setup down the line and am wondering, is a hi-fi amp w/mic friendly features (i.e. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, etc.) necessary for reproducing a 'transparent sound'? Or would a 'transparent' preamp such as the Headway EDB-1 into the effects return jack or AUX IN jack of my amp (Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0) be as equally clean. Obviously the shuttle pre would color the sound so I was wondering if bypassing the pre and only using the power amp section of my shuttle would produce a transparent tone similar to that of an AI or EA head. After all, adding a preamp like the EDB-1 would be cheaper than upgrading the head.

 

[Steve Freides]

I think the only right answer is, "It depends." Everyone has different opinions, some people hear differences where others don't, etc. Power amps can color sound, and I'm sure there are some people who will tell you that any Class D power amp is going to color the sound. Nearly identical amps with different power ratings will necessarily handle things differently once you hit a certain volume level.

A "transparent" sound isn't what everyone likes, and you might find a particular amp more to your liking precisely because of how it colors the sounds.

With apologies to Mr. Joel:

And so it goes, and so it goes, and you're the only one who knows what's best - what compromise of color, volume, portability, cost, and the like - for you.

-S-

 

[Ric Vice]

Would there be an audible difference in sound between two different Class D power amps if the same bass, pickup, preamp and speakers were used with both? How much of the tonal differences between 'digital' amps is the preamp and how much is the power amp?

I notice differences between my older walter woods that only has a digital power supply vs the newer ones that have both a digital power supply and a digital power amplifier. Still. I think the pre amp has a great deal more to to with the tone quality of the amplifier

I ask primarily because I hope to use a nice microphone (such as the DPA4099) with my amp setup down the line and am wondering, is a hi-fi amp w/mic friendly features (i.e. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, etc.) necessary for reproducing a 'transparent sound'?

Mic frendly features help you control feedback, that's there basic function at least. Hi Pass and Notch filters are a mixed blessing since they do change the tone quality coming from. Phase Shift either works or it dosen't.

Or would a 'transparent' preamp such as the Headway EDB-1 into the effects return jack or AUX IN jack of my amp (Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0) be as equally clean. Obviously the shuttle pre would color the sound so I was wondering if bypassing the pre and only using the power amp section of my shuttle would produce a transparent tone similar to that of an AI or EA head. After all, adding a preamp like the EDB-1 would be cheaper than upgrading the head.

I've used the Headway into the effects return of two different Walter Woods amps it works great. If I understand effects send/return's correctly they don't actually seperate the pre amp from the power amp so you are still going into the preamp just after the EQ section. So it's not the same as plugging the Headway EDB-1 into a power amp. I don't know what the AUX IN does on the Shuttle.

Ric