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Author Topic: Amplifier Measurements?  (Read 1216 times)

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raif

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Amplifier Measurements?
« on: March 14, 2012, 05:42:02 PM »

First off, love the site.  I have already wasted hours reading through everything.
Second, my apologies if this has been broached before elsewhere.

Have you guys considered doing some amplifier measurements?

I have always had issues discerning the difference between 2 well implemented amplifiers, most likely due to the low levels at which I tend to listen.  Despite that, claims seem to abound about how much Amp A improves Headphone X over Amp B.

I was thinking that if this indeed true, shouldn't it be able to be measured?  Is the problem that the difference might be audible to a listener but below the threshold of the standard error when measuring the headphone's response?

Anyways I would assume that with the same source and headphones, one could do a set of measurements with 2 different amplifiers and then compare the resultant frequency response, thd, etc.  Maybe also do it at different volume levels.

What do you guys think?  Am I missing something obvious?


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Marvey

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Re: Amplifier Measurements?
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2012, 06:13:33 PM »

In time. Headphones themselves are a big task!
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Amplifier Measurements?
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2012, 08:58:47 PM »

This is a big deal and we've discussed it immensely.  Too much on the plate atm but rest assured we are just as interested as anyone else in delving deeper into the matter.
« Last Edit: March 14, 2012, 09:08:19 PM by Analixus »
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raif

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Re: Amplifier Measurements?
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2012, 05:21:53 AM »

Ah, it is good to know that you have it on your radar.

I have the sinking sensation that at my normal listening levels, the measured differences between properly designed amplifiers are going to be comparable in magnitude to the results of Tyll's burn-in experiment.  I am still not sure though which direction I am hoping it goes.

On the one hand I would love an excuse to buy something like the Electra that Craig is cooking up(love the EC aesthetic!) on the other, the $3 - $6k it takes to get one of the beast Stax amps is a boatload of cash.
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