Audio Amplifier frequency analysis

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing audio amplifiers to achieve good sound output. Participants explore various aspects of amplifier design, selection, and subjective sound quality, addressing both technical and personal preferences in audio reproduction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for guidance on analyzing audio amplifiers for optimal sound output.
  • Another participant inquires about the context, suggesting that the analysis may differ based on whether one is buying or designing an amplifier.
  • A humorous suggestion is made that the weight of the amplifier could indicate its quality, with heavier amplifiers being perceived as better.
  • Subjectivity in sound quality is highlighted, with one participant noting that personal preferences can vary significantly.
  • A detailed explanation is provided regarding the importance of frequency processing in amplifiers, mentioning the need for separate filters for different frequency components and the role of woofers and tweeters.
  • Concerns about phase distortion in audio signals are raised, emphasizing the need for a linear frequency versus phase shift curve.
  • Some participants discuss the perceived superiority of vacuum tube amplifiers over transistor amplifiers, citing differences in output impedance and speaker compliance.
  • A specific example of a vacuum tube amplifier is mentioned, including details about its transformer weight and a link to further information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on what constitutes good sound output, with no consensus on specific criteria or preferences. There are competing views on amplifier types, particularly between vacuum tube and transistor amplifiers.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not resolve the subjective nature of sound quality or the technical specifications that may influence it. There is also an absence of consensus on the best practices for analyzing or selecting an audio amplifier.

GD.Boss
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Could anyone explain how to analize an Audio Amplifier so it can have good sound output.

Thank you in advance
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Hi, and welcome. Where are you?

Perhaps you could explain a bit more about what you are thinking of doing.

Are you going to buy an amplifier and need to know how to select a good one?

If you are designing an amplifier, I guess you would already know how to test it.
 
Take the amplifier in both hands and lift it up. Is it heavy?
Heavy=Good
Light=Crappy
 
What sounds good to you and what sounds good to me could quite possibly be 2 different things, so, no I cannot help you.
 
GD.Boss said:
Could anyone explain how to analize an Audio Amplifier so it can have good sound output.

Thank you in advance

If you are an Engineer designing an audio amplifier circuit please read the following:

For the audio amplifier to have good sound output it should have the ability to process different frequency components in the audio signal using separate filters. Different frequency components are best reproduced by different types of speakers. So it is necessary to make sure the amplifier has woofer to reproduce low frequency sounds and tweeter to produce high frequency sound. As the number of channels in the audio signal increase you will get a more realistic hearing experience. If the amplifier produces a phase shift for the audio signal then the frequency Vs phase shift curve should be linear. If not phase distortion will occur in the output signal.

If you are a customer buying an audio amplifier please read the following:

Just buy the amplifier which produces music pleasing to your ears. Mostly the audio amplifier which satisfies all the criteria in the previous paragraph technically will have high fidelity and it will produce music that will please most people.
 
Some audiophiles claim that a vacuum tube amplifier is better than a transistor amplifier, in part because the pentode or tetrode (vacuum tube) output is a very high impedance output, and the speaker cone is more compliant than with a voltage source (transistor) output. The back emf developed by a moving speaker cone is shorted out by an amplifier with a voltage output. A voltage output makes the speaker cone very stiff (low compliance). In my old vacuum tube amplifier, the (now rare) Acrosound ultralinear TO-330 output (push-pull) transformer weighed over 15 pounds. See
http://www.clarisonus.com/Archives/Trans/Acro55.pdf
Bob S

[added] The Acro TO-330 weighs about 15 pounds per channel, or about 30 pounds for stereo.
 
Last edited:
Bob S said:
http://www.clarisonus.com/Archives/Trans/Acro55.pdf
Bob S

[added] The Acro TO-330 weighs about 15 pounds per channel, or about 30 pounds for stereo.



that is the 'pdf' for the transformer only. do you have picture of the complete amplifier. thanks
 

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