Originally Posted By: Dr.House
In theory two well designed are not going to measure identical on the bench. So in theory it is possible two well designed receivers operating within their limits can sound different. There is more to an amp than frequency response like THD, S to N, output impedance, crosstalk etc.

There are other factors that matter like listener preferences and the impedance and effieciency of the loudspeaker and how they interact with a particular AVR/Amp. Some amps will perform better than others.

I'm not saying that every amp measures identically. I'm saying that amps with measurements beyond the level of human detection (well designed) will be indistinguishable from one another.

If an amp's output is changed by a loudspeaker load to the point where its measurements shift into the audible range it is either one of two things: not well designed, or being pushed beyond the limits of its design.

If an amp is designed with a "listener's preference" in mind, it is not well designed, but intended to purposefully color the sound in some way.

Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris