What should I expect from a cheap amp?

[nomdeguerre]

I don't know if this belongs in this forum or in the DIY, but what should I expect from a cmoy or like amp with a ety er6?
I'm not sure what to expect in amps in general, but would buying a cmoy be worth it? Is it highly recommended just to skip the cmoy and go on to the MINT or higher?
Thanks

 

[Jazper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by w1ned I don't know if this belongs in this forum or in the DIY, but what should I expect from a cmoy or like amp with a ety er6? I'm not sure what to expect in amps in general, but would buying a cmoy be worth it? Is it highly recommended just to skip the cmoy and go on to the MINT or higher? Thanks

Depends on your source. When I moved to a headphone amplifier the first thing that came to me was the improvement in dynamic sound/range. The sound was "faster".

Personally I say skip the cmoy and go a mint or pimeta, working with protoboard sucks if you can avoid it.

 

[kramer5150]

IMHO an entry level amp should at least:

be quiet
play resonably flat from 20-20k
introduce minimal artifacts or coloration of its own. Some coloration is OK... but nothing drastic.
reliable
serviceable
increase dynamics first and volume second

IMHO...
Garrett

 

[fewtch]

IMO it depends a lot on the op-amp used, as cheap amps don't have a lot of supporting electronics to mask the sonic signature. The AD8610/8620 has a "high end" sound to it (so do the pricier Burr-Browns, OPA627/637) but a lot of other opamps used in entry level amps sound cheap to my ears.

I'd personally also recommend the NE5532 (and I'm probably the only one who would

)... I hear no clear sonic attributes from this opamp in a circuit designed for it, it's as if it adds no noticeable signature. But you won't find it often in entry-level amps. It's often used in el-cheapo consumer gear, and unfortunately gets blamed for what's most often the fault of the rest of the electronics.