A discussion of the currently angry debate between the old fashioned analog amplifiers and the more expensive digital ampliers. I would welcome any input as after all my interest in this technical debate is personal as I think that the old fashioned analog is more easily bugged and recorded than the digital as regards to transmitting sound to computer modems through telephone wires or in recording studios.
The analog sound processor is electrical and always had the problem of attaching to the signal being transmitted any noise that might be in the air when it is being sent. What happens is that the signal is caught and processed and then sent. The processing involved some difficulties in sending since all the noise that might have been on the line or in the area was caught with the intended signal to be transmitted and sent with it. The digital sound processor has the advantage of being able to clear up any background noise before transmitting the signal. The question as to decide to go with analogue or digital power amps is one of intention.
The digital power amp transmits an original signal. The analog power amp transmits a supposedly perfect replica of the original signal. Now which is best?
With the battle of analog vs.digital, it comes down to what sound you’re trying to produce. Preferably, you should listen to example recordings using different types of power amplifier to determine which is right for your application. If your search for the best audio power amplifier involved cost then the analog power amp is the best choice as it is marketed by firms looking for a wider group of buyers who are interested only in amplification and cost. Analog systems have been used by telephone and radio manufacturers and designers longer culminating in the mobile phone of the 1980’s and finding competition recently due to computer systems inter-communication.
The question then of choosing between analog and digital is primarily for computer users. A signal is sent to a computer’s modem. The modem transfers the signal into analog format that is used in telephone service. The digital signal then has been worked into analog format. The analog modem receives the signal and translates it into its frequency and tone and then sends it out into the link. Speed becomes an issue here as collection and translation has to occur before the communication is sent. Digital systems used to collect digital signals use the telephone companies wires and the signal is transmitted without the translation of the analog system.
Because the analog is slower than the digital, the digital is better. However, if you are looking to amplify a sound and to have the original sound that was transmitted by a digital system, mellowed and softened then you should go with an analog amplifier. A key point to remember in amplifiers is that analog amplifiers process the sound being amplified before transmission. The sound could be deeper, richer, and considerably slower than that transmitted to it. It all depends on what sound you are looking for.
Also noise communicated to the analog has to be sent and usually the sound is distorted. Analog power amps lose signals sent over a distance and the signal has to be re-amplified. Distortion in sounds are also re-amplied and you might have a fuzzy signal. Digital systems collect digital signals and send them out over the telephone wires.
A digital customer can view a screen of an image sent digitally in ten minutes over whatever distance as compared to an analog customer who must wait more than one hour.
Analog power amp are cheaper but digital power amps are faster and clearer. Amplification of sound is a personal thing and the buyer would be best served if he listened to both amplification systems before deciding.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
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