I can't imagine not hearing an improvement when you drive your system with proper amplification. We test gear in here all of the time and I am amazed by the difference in SQ between many similar products. And it's not just about power. I'm talking about how a component SOUNDS. When I hear people state that there is no discernible difference between similar components, I'm just blown away.
It's is real and there are differences, sometime huge differences, between products of a similar nature.
And I'm 59. I don't have hearing sensitivity like I did when I was 25, but it's still easy to hear SQ differences. For subtle differences, you have to train yourself to listen. Really listen.
But sometimes, it so apparent, it's like...duh! Lonnie just designed a Class A variant of one of our more poplar power amplifiers, and the difference in SQ when switching between Class A and Class AB was striking! It was not something that you had to even go back and forth trying to discern the difference. It was BANG. Wow!! HUGE!!
We had a very well reviewed receiver in here, and it utilized a Class D power stage and it was just un-listenable. Really. When we took the preamp outs of the receiver and drove the system with a little UPA-700 the improvement was so clearly audible, so instantly discernible, we thought we must have a defective receiver! Really. The UPA-700 is rated at about 60% of the power of this receiver, and there was no comparison. At all listening levels, not just flat out. I had the chance to speak to the head designer of that company some time later, and he confirmed my observations. He thought the receiver sounded terrible too! BTW, it measured beautifully. Go figure.
When I hear a person state that there are no SQ differences between different components of similar power and design, so don't even bother listening or evaluating on your own as there is no point in it, I know that they are dead wrong. My own ears and my mind have been telling me otherwise for most of my life. This is what got me hooked on audio when I was a kid. This is why I got into the business.
Maybe they can't tell the difference, but many people CAN.
We don't sell hype at Emotiva. We sell performance based on solid design and proven engineering principles. We don't claim our cables can cure cancer, lower the rising tides, or change the harmonic alignment of your home. But they can carry the electrical signal between your components with minimal harm and interference, with properly designed shielding, appropriate impedance, low DCR and inductance, etc.
I believe it pays to listen. Trust your own ears and judgment. Sometimes there is so small a difference, it's not worth paying a huge cost increase for a diminishing return in SQ improvement. Other times it's worth every penny!
We've tried to bridge the divide by designing an building products that sound like $10K, but cost a grand. I think that many, many of you see and hear what we are doing and the investment in great sound is worth it to you.
For those of you who don't hear the magic, this is why we have a 30 day in home trial period. You have nothing to lose, but maybe you will be pleasantly surprised when you push that power button and your musical world changes for the better!!
When someone tells me that all audio equipment sounds the same, he probably thinks that a beer is just a beer too, right??
Happy hunting.
Big Dan
