Frequently asked questions about amplifiers and speakers, how to pair them, advantages and disadvantages of each type, etc
Of course, if I have bookings available, simply book an equipment assessment/condition report, and I’ll happily assist. However, if you’re asking for an equipment valuation over the phone or for me to maybe drive a considerable distance to come to you and provide this service for free, we don’t offer those services, for hopefully obvious […]
Just as much as necessary to carefully complete the work you’ve asked us to do, and no more. Liquid Audio specialises in preserving and rejuvenating classic hi-fi stereo equipment and always delivers exceptional service, results and value. Our reputation for excellence, the result of hard work and original thinking, respected by customers and visitors worldwide,
System resolution limitations or ‘bottlenecks’ are critically important as they define the maximum performance attainable with a given set of equipment. This is actually the most critical thing to understand about any system. Think of it this way: You can have the best pair of speakers and the most amazing source equipment in the world,
What are system resolution limitations and why are they important? Read More »
Amplification is the heart of any system and to improve it, I suggest you focus on three main areas. These can be broadly grouped into: 1) reducing integration, 2) obtaining better-engineered/built equipment, and 3), getting better bang-per-buck, meaning pre-owned, older equipment. Let’s examine each of these in turn. Integration Integration refers to how many functions
I’d be happy to provide an estimate once we’ve determined precisely what’s gone wrong and why. Electronic equipment failures are typically ‘black box’ scenarios, meaning there are usually no obvious visual signs as to what has gone wrong. Contrary to what many imagine, red flags like “bulging capacitors” are a largely forum-created meme in hi-fi
My high-end amplifier has failed, how much will repairs cost? Read More »
Sometimes, yes and I’m happy to fit these things, but people are often surprised to learn that, from a technical perspective, there is much more to this. Many of these topics are plagued by misinformation and pseudoscience. Certain “improvements” are not actually improvements at all, and in some cases are retrograde moves. No retailer selling
Do you recommend new speaker terminals, RCA connectors and detachable mains cables? Read More »
Generally speaking, I suggest you don’t buy equipment in poor condition. I know that everyone wants a bargain and buying equipment in poor condition is often perceived as a bargain. Sadly, there is no escaping the fact that equipment in poor condition tends to be less reliable and less repairable than similar gear in good
What are your thoughts on buying equipment in poor condition? Read More »
Yes, transistors can be replaced in almost all cases, with excellent results when done correctly. As with anything technical, though, the devil is in the details, and people often get these details wrong. Part of the art of repairing electronics involves understanding what replacement parts are optimal in various scenarios and how to select the
Can transistors in my vintage amplifier be replaced? Read More »
Class A is the gold standard and always used where cost is not a factor. Based purely on performance and sonics, the highest-fidelity amplifier design is class A. Speaker sensitivity, combined with your amplifier’s power output, determines the system dynamic range, an important consideration not to be overlooked though. No Compromise Nothing sounds better than
For hi-fi purposes, none. Class B is often used for radiofrequency broadcast amplifiers, where high power and low spurious RF emissions (sorry, no class-D in radio!) make it a great choice. On its own though, class B suffers from relatively high (crossover) distortion and is unsuitable for audio for that reason. Combined with a little
