Compensating multi-stage feedback (was: RE: all tranny vca+ )

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Don Tillman <don at till.com>
Subject: Re: Compensating multi-stage feedback (was: RE: all tranny vca+ )
Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2000 14:14:58 -0700 (PDT)

Don, Harry,

>    Date: Sat, 01 Jul 2000 16:44:21 -0400
>    From: Harry Bissell <harrybissell at prodigy.net>
> 
>    I think (flamesuit ON) very few of the people in the world can hear
>    the distortion in an audio system unless it is GROSS.  Usually the
>    speakers are far worse than anything else in the audio path! 
> 
> [Blowtorch on...  whahishhhhhhhhhhh...]

OUCH! Keep that blowtorch where it should stick!
<some hair on my arm got burned>

> Your argument assumes that all distortions of a certain measured
> amount have roughly the same effect on the listening experience,
> regardless of the process that causes the distortion.  You know that's
> not true; 0.001% of one type of distortion could be especially awful
> while 5% of another type of distortion might not be a problem, or in
> some instances might actually be an improvement.

Would you _please_ elaborate on how 0.001% is more awful than 5%.
I'd really like to know. Where's the evidence?

I'd also apprechiate your elaboration on the distinction of the
process of non-linearity and the amount of distorsion (by each
overtone). Oh, phases of overtones gets changed by whatever linear
system sits in the way ;)

"You know that's not true"
Howha! That's strong!

> The process that creates opamp distortions is nothing like the process
> that creates speaker distortions, so their characteristics will be
> completely different.  Personally I'd place opamp distortion in the
> nails-on-a-blackboard 0.001% catagory.
> 
> [blowtorch off :-)]

Phew, danger off I guess....

But really, one of the troubles with this tube vs. trannies
vs. op-amps etc etc is that a lot of subjective feelings is being used
all over the place and rarely is the discussion purely downto
technical details and mechanisms. I have seen a few briliant examples,
but all other cases just makes me sick.

Actually, a lot of discussions regarding quality of sound seems to use
technical terms as the glue between all forms of subjective feelings
and statements. I just try to stick to knowledge and good engineering.
It seems my strategy has been pretty successful so far. I'm allways
eager to learn more, but then I also throw alot of comments in the
trashcan since it does not contribute alot to the real knowledge.

I know that there is a lot of knowledge accumulated on this list,
let's help even the knowledge out somewhat.

So, please, gentlemen, when we discusses this let's keep an educative
and lowkey attitude so that whatever good there is in the message gets
through?

Don, I do not intend to flatten your head or anything, you did not go
very far overboard, but my warning system lit up somewhat.

Cheers,
Magnus