Highly relevant article (and sidebars) on the problems with different electronic circuits on sound quality

[morricab]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/spectral-x-contamination-problems-op-amp-chips

Really cool article that talks about the issues with distortions and sound quality caused by a lot of the most commonly used circuit types in audio.

Like for example, the fact that a symmetrical amplifier actually cancels the mild sounding even harmonics while preserving (or even enhancing) the odd order harmonics, which are known to not sound good (except perhaps the simplest...the third). A well known phenomenon for sure but not appreciated for what it does subjectively to the sound.

 

[Robh3606]

It is cool although its a bit dated Wonder how things are now 20 years on?

Rob

 

[morricab]

It is cool although its a bit dated Wonder how things are now 20 years on?

Rob

No new technologies have been invented or radically new circuit topologies that would invaldiate most of what is in this article.

 

[Robh3606]

No new technologies have been invented or radically new circuit topologies that would invaldiate most of what is in this article.

I think you are missing the point. 20 years is a long time. There have been significant process changes and improvements as well as new chips since then.

You are also not taking into account how current designs are using them compared to 20 years ago.

As far as topologies chip layouts and geometries are changed more often than you think.

Rob

 

[morricab]

I think you are missing the point. 20 years is a long time. There have been significant process changes and improvements as well as new chips since then.

You are also not taking into account how current designs are using them compared to 20 years ago.

As far as topologies chip layouts and geometries are changed more often than you think.

Rob

Well, I won't debate the so-called "chip advance" except to say that I think they still suck and as near as I can tell they are used primarily the same way now as 20 years ago.

I was more interested in the points being made about symmetrical designs vs. assymmetrical design and the impact on audible traits of distortion.

 

[Robh3606]

Well, I won't debate the so-called "chip advance" except to say that I think they still suck and as near as I can tell they are used primarily the same way now as 20 years ago.

I was more interested in the points being made about symmetrical designs vs. assymmetrical design and the impact on audible traits of distortion.

Hello Morricab

Well if they all suck how are you managing to not use any of them in your gear?

You going all discrete and avoiding troublesome circuit topologies??

Rob

 

[morricab]

Hello Morricab

Well if they all suck how are you managing to not use any of them in your gear?

You going all discrete and avoiding troublesome circuit topologies??

Rob

I have an all tube, no negative feedback chain on both my systems. On my DIY digital xover setup there is one SS DAC but it takes the signal straight off the R2R DAC chips (8 of them) and powers the mid-bass drivers. The MC stage of my phono has a single JFet but the rest is tube...including the power supply.