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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: FM Acoustics
Post Subject: Conclusions ("the best") outside specified contextPosted by Gregm on: 7/26/2007
Chris, I'm not Romy but I've listened to some of their products -- about which I'll talk later. First:
 dazzdax wrote:
Hi Roman, FM Acoustics amplifiers from Switserland have been regarded by many audiophiles (mostly the ones with lots of money) as the best sounding (solid state) amps regardless of price. They even bettered the best amps from Krell, Mark Levinson, etc.
Please don't take it wrongly -- but it is misleading to discuss "best" and especially outside a context: "best" is a conclusion. Reproduction is a process where machines are used -- and these machines operate better or worse in specific applications -- not generally, in absolute terms.

So the audiophiles saying "FMa is best" are, if I may say so, foolish: in what application??? Best, How? After all, an amplifier is just that: a machine made to increase a signal and also interact with transducers to produce humanly audible sound (or noise).
You see what I mean?
Of course, there are certain standards where you say, the sonic results with this component are usually better than with another component, in certain similar or identical applications... Or, using this amplifier topology yields better results than the other in XYZ applications. Or even, the sound from XYZ application using this amplifier topology, is superior to the sound from ABC application using THAT amplifier topology -- even both are "good".

Coming back to FMa. They cater more to the pro market than the home market.
They do offer a complete home application where the sound is indeed good: sources (not FMa) -> FM peripherals /electronics + purposely assembled active speakers (FMa amps). Remember, they exclusively offer transistors based circuits -- which offers some flexibilities and some limitations....

Speaking of stand alone "tools" -- such as their phono, it is also good. Also they offer preamplifiers which, if needed, are not difficult to use in many applications (at least two, I tried).

The useful thing with them (maybe because they live off the pro market) is that the concept is, the product performs best when it is tailored to a specific application: i.e. if you buy the phono above, they will ask you, where is it to be connected (i.e. what comes before it & after it). Normally, and similarly, if you want amps, you can specify (should specify) which speaker system you are going to use them on; what you will drive them with; where & what is the xover being used.


What is the secret behind the famous FM Acoustics sound: circuit design? Parts selection? Power supply? Swiss watchmaker precision?

Chris
I don't know if there is any secret. What know is they very closely-match the circuit components: i.e. since, say, for stereo you have two channels, they use matched resistor 23left to 23right, likewise (and more importantly for ss) with transistor 1&2&3 left with 1&2&3 right and so on, to complete the circuit. Cheers

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