Recent Audio Amplifier Articles

What is feedback and how does it affect audio? Here we present a pseudo-interview to help answer questions about feedback; a fascinating and complex topic that lies at the core of successful design.

Some audiophiles believe too much negative feedback will diminish sound quality in amplifiers while others believe no feedback is even better. Is this true or an audio myth needing to be busted?

This is a call to action to Sound United to lead the industry in rating amplifier power in AV receivers more honestly. We are calling it the Truth in Power Movement and we need your help!

We discuss the different audio amplifier classes, going over the real meanings behind Class A, B, A/B, G, H, and D and the pros and cons of each design. Which amplifier is best? Read on.

We often get asked how much AC wall power is needed to run a home theater system. This article and Youtube video answers that question to ensure you get the best power delivery for your system.

THX Standard Website was recently launched to "objectively" compare products for various categories, including HDTVs, Amplifiers, and Powered Speakers. Is this the real deal or fake news? Read on.

Lately I've been reminiscing about my favorite AV receivers reviewed throughout the years including the super receivers from the golden age long gone. See which models left an everlasting impression.

With the latest trend of inflated power ratings in many Atmos AV receivers and Class D amplifiers, has the FTC become too complacent to validate and enforce their ruling on power claims?

We've noticed a trend in the recent crop of Dolby Atmos receivers that are no longer rating full bandwidth power with 2CH driven. Are you really getting more power or just clever specsmanship?

Is there a new trend for trading audio amplifier quality for features in AV receivers. We explore some of the newer AV Receivers and compare their amplifier quality to their predecessors to find out.

Ever wonder how receiver and amplifier power ratings are measured? How "accurate" are they really? This article and YouTube video explores the trends in wattage ratings and how its changed over time.

This article explores the purpose and function of the impedance switch found on some A/V receivers. Tradeoffs of following manufacturers recommended settings are also discussed. YouTube video inside.

Designing an amplifier to be too stable and protected to prevent damage or fire during misuse or short circuiting will result in sound degradation. Is this true or yet another audio myth we uncovered?

Paul Ceurvels, Senior EE at Atlantic Technology discusses his experiences behind the scenes to explain how amplifiers can sound different from one another. Do you think amplifiers sound different?

This article highlights the most memorable audio receivers for the last 50 years ranging from vintage two-channel to the latest in multi-channel surround sound. What are your favorite receivers?

This article explores the technical reasons why audio amplifiers can sound different. Audio measurements can help explain why things look different but audibility isn't always so cut and dry.

This article discusses the Audioholics testing methodology for measuring amplifier performance in receivers and power amps. We discuss the relevancy of the measurements and how they can affect sound.

Interested in a separate amplifier? Amplifier voltage gain and sensitivity are important specs to know about. This article explains the concept to help identify how to match your amp to a preamp.

This article defines what amplifier slew rate is and its real world implications. We also show how to calculate an audio amplifiers slew rate based on bandwidth and power level.

We've all seen amplifier companies tout that their amps are "high current". This article explores that topic as well as the history of how the term became popularized by some manufacturers.

Ever wonder how an amplifier works at a very fundamental level? Alan Lofft, Resident Expert of Axiom Audio takes us on a tour of traditional linear amplifiers as well as the newer more sleek Class D …

It’s been a few years since our controversial release of “Attack of the Clone Processors” and we felt it was time for a sequel to our blockbuster hit editorial. Engineering a product from the …

Ever wonder why the boom box you bought at Best Buy has a higher power rating than your dedicated two-channel power amplifier? Amplifier power ratings are usually honest in Hi-Fi equipment, but …

Alan Lofft, Axiom Audio's Resident Expert, took a series of the most commonly asked questions he received about amplifiers, and transformed his answers into an informative editorial. In this article …

This article explores the All Channels Driven power test popularized by some print magazines and manufacturers. It discusses its relevancy and real world implications.

This article started because a good friend of mine dropped a Panasonic SA-XR50 switch-mode amplifier to me for some basic bench test. This article will NOT be a review of that unit, but an …