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Is Newer Better?

173.28.15.101

Posted on October 31, 2009 at 21:20:32

Kclone
Audiophile

Posts: 146
Joined: January 28, 2002

When a company creates a new line, is always better sounding? Is the latest always the greatest? I inherently have always thought so, but now I'm not so sure. I have the Sim Audio Moon W-7 amp. I also own the older Sim Audio W-3 amp, which has been in my closet for the past couple of years. I have been comparing the two the last few weeks. For the life of me, I can't notice to much of a difference. Is there something wrong with my ears? I mean how can a company have an older model sound pretty much just as good as a newer model that is a lot more expensive? Also, does the W-7 sound better balanced? I have not been using it in balanced mode so maybe that would help. Also, I had a dealer tell me it is always a good idea to match gear(pre/power amp) that is from the same company, you have a better chance of synergy and a better sounding system since they were made for each other. Thoughts on that?

dadbar

09:14:07 11/02/09

TBone

07:27:21 11/01/09

RE: depends ...

Kclone

10:55:48 11/01/09

RE: Is Newer Better?

rkeman

03:39:28 11/01/09

No, posted on November 2, 2009 at 09:14:07

dadbar
Audiophile

Posts: 898
Location: Boston
Joined: June 29, 2003
Contributor
Since: March 25, 2006

I used to work in marketing for a scientific equipment supplier. Quite often we would have to "upgrade" a line because parts from the previous generation were no longer available (especially microprocessors)....so you would have to revalidate the instrument and relaunch as an "improvement" even if it was a lateral move.

There were even times when we would relaunch if we could get a replacement of a key part for less money elsewhere....to offset higher prices on other parts....

In the old days when you could afford to buy huge quantities of parts inventory you could sustain a line and its replacement parts forever. Nowadays with the new "lean and mean" mantra and "just in time" manufacturing, it's not so easy to do that.

depends ..., posted on November 1, 2009 at 07:27:21

TBone
Audiophile

Posts: 2645
Joined: April 5, 2000

>>When a company creates a new line, is always better sounding?<<

No, I can reference many a line change that, perhaps different, certainly wasn't any better, some noticeably inferior.

I've experienced the Sims, the W3 and W5 specifically, v.nice amps. If memory serves, the W3 had a slightly warmer tonality, a sweet top end, and a slightly looser bottom compared to the cooler sounding 5, which had a tighter bottom and better top end extension and control. Differences exist, but I suspect the variances depend on your systems makeup & equipment.

I tried a variety of amps, including the Sims, most of them I truly enjoyed. I finally found a couple of used older Classe DR3s, which, supposedly, offered a superior synergistic match with the rest of my legacy system. At that point, I'd only heard relatively small differences with other new amps, until I introduced the DR3 with their family pre-amp, and they performed, as a pair, well beyond my expectations.

>>Also, I had a dealer tell me it is always a good idea to match gear(pre/power amp) that is from the same company, you have a better chance of synergy and a better sounding system since they were made for each other. Thoughts on that?<<

Generally, yes, I agree, especially with the better amps & pre-amps. Synergy is a relative given with matching components. However, if the pre-amp is considered the more important of the two devices and the manufacturer pre is a compromised affair, in all probability it still won't perform better with the matching amp.

TB1

RE: depends ..., posted on November 1, 2009 at 10:55:48
Kclone Audiophile Posts: 146 Joined: January 28, 2002	Thanks for the input Tbone. In Sims case, I don't think the P-7 preamp is compromised. Still, I wonder about non-Sim preamps with my Sim amps. Anyone heard preamps like Cary SLP-05 or ARC LS26?

RE: Is Newer Better?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 03:39:28

rkeman
Audiophile

Posts: 323
Location: Florida
Joined: July 26, 2003

The differences between properly functioning modern electronic components is relatively small compared to those in loudspeakers and listening rooms. This is not to say that there are no differences or that the differences are unimportant - they are not! Manufacturers and reviewers tend to exaggerate the differences in many cases, and audiophilies should temper their expectations accordingly. The most important differences in the current crop of amplifiers appear to be the ability to handle difficult loads (an issue with most AV receivers and some class D amplifiers) and noise performance (both electrical and mechanical). It is not surprising that little difference exists between the two Sim Audio amplifiers, but move the speakers or listening chair even a few inches and much will change!

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