[sdiy] MOTM 440 4P LPF questions

[Neil Johnson]

Hi,

Justin Owen wrote:
> Am I wrong in thinking that the term 'discrete' is potentially about as
> descriptive as the term 'analog'?

Well, I think there are two sets of definition here.  There are the
hard factual definitions:

- a discrete design, made from separate, physically individual
semiconductors (transistors, diodes, etc)

vs.

- integrated, where all seminconductor elements, and some passive
elements, are constructed on a single piece of silicon.

And,

- analogue, where a voltage or current is used to represent an
analogue of the real world (e.g. sound pressure level).

- digital, where a set of discrete numeric values are used to
approximate information about the real world (again, sound pressure
level).

Then there is the subjective mess that we also have:

- There are various forums out there where the differences between
discrete and integrated op-amps, for example, are shouted out to great
length; I don't propose to repeat them here.

- analogue - same.

> It could cover so many different interpretations that it might sound good,
> better, phatter, rounder, noisier - or dirtier... or just plain worse than a
> comparable circuit on an IC - right?

As with anything, you must consider the complete design, how it is
used, in what context, etc.  One man's phat is another man's thin.

> I don't see that it 'should' sound better - but it might... or not.

Exactly!!  And no doubt for any given circuit configuration *someone*
on this planet will think it sounds "best", while internet is full of
all the other people saying otherwise. <insert Gene Spafford's
definition of usenet>

Cheers,
Neil
-- 
http://www.njohnson.co.uk