I find it so hard to imagine based on the K1000s I've heard ever thinking they would be good at micro-detail let alone a machine for it.  I look forward to being proven wrong in future.

For DACs/Amps, I would argue that distortion is still the major enemy of plankton retrieval.

I disagree in the sense that pretty much most SS amps that advertise 0.00000001% sound like crap as far as resolution.  Add to that that many SE tube amps done right that are exponentially worse in distortion are far more resolving than those SS amps.  Of course, either way those amps are better than what the transducer is doing anyway so it's relative as to what we look at I'd say.

Quote from: DaveUpton on October 29, 2014, 12:06:44 AM

For DACs/Amps, I would argue that distortion is still the major enemy of plankton retrieval.

I disagree in the sense that pretty much most SS amps that advertise 0.00000001% sound like crap as far as resolution.  Add to that that many SE tube amps done right that are exponentially worse in distortion are far more resolving than those SS amps.  Of course, either way those amps are better than what the transducer is doing anyway so it's relative as to what we look at I'd say.

IMO those ss amps are worse at plankton retrieval not because of there low distortion but because of the means used to achieve that end. They seem to be losing way too much information while trying to remove the distortion while the tube amps despite their worse numbers seem to be able to retain more of the original information.Also there are bad sounding tube amplifiers as well, those thick syrupy ones.I bet that their lack of plankton retrieval correlates to their distortion level.

Two words "negative feedback"

Ss amps usually achieve unnecessary low thd by using loads of negative feedback.  I think the use of negative feedback is the biggest culprit observing my amps in my opinion.  Negative feedback is a trick most companies use to achieve lower distortion, increase damping factor and bandwidth specs and to squeeze an extra watt or 2 out while getting away with using crappier parts and increasing price for the market. Tubes naturally are most likely low negative feedback designs. That's why they can resolve so well despite there so called "distortion rating". Tubes do usually use better components as well. 

There is other factors to consider as well but I think the obsessive use of negative feedback is one of the main culprit.  In my opinion too all amps I heard that use low negative feedback sounds more clear.

That's why the late 70's/80's Harman kardon 700 series is one solid state set I love. It uses less then 30db of negative feedback and solid components and design to achieve their high bandwidth without obsessively making use of high negative feedback.