It is easy to be perplexed by the language that amplifier suppliers employ in order to depict the performance of their products. I will explain the meaning of a commonly utilized amplifier parameter: "signal-to-noise ratio" to help you make an informed decision while getting a new amp. Whilst looking for an amp, you first are going to check the cost, power amongst other essential criteria. Nonetheless, after this initial choice, you will still have quite a few types to choose from. Next you are going to concentrate more on a few of the technical specs, including signal-to-noise ratio as well as harmonic distortion. The signal-to-noise ratio is a rather key parameter and describes how much noise or hiss the amplifier creates.
When you have narrowed down your search by taking a look at some key criteria, such as the level of output power, the dimensions of the amplifier as well as the price, you are going to still have quite a few products to choose from. Now it is time to take a look at a few of the technical specifications in more detail. The signal-to-noise ratio is a rather vital parameter and shows how much noise or hiss the amplifier creates.
Evaluating the noise level of several amps can be done quite easily. Simply get together a couple of types that you wish to compare and short circuit the inputs. Afterward put the amp volume to maximum and check the level of noise by listening to the loudspeaker. You are going to hear some amount of hissing and/or hum coming from the speaker. This noise is generated by the amp itself. Ensure that the gain of the amps is set to the same level. Otherwise you will not be able to objectively compare the amount of static between different amps. The general rule is: the lower the level of static that you hear the higher the noise performance. When taking a look at the amplifier spec sheet, you want to look for an amp with a large signal-to-noise ratio number which suggests that the amplifier outputs a small level of noise. One of the reasons why amplifiers make noise is the fact that they use components such as transistors as well as resistors which by nature generate noise. Mostly the components which are located at the input stage of an amplifier will contribute most to the overall hiss. Thus suppliers typically will select low-noise components whilst developing the amp input stage.
Most of today's power amps are digital amplifiers, also known as "class-d amplifiers". Class-D amplifiers utilize a switching stage which oscillates at a frequency between 300 kHz to 1 MHz. This switching frequency is also hiss that is part of the amplified signal. However, recent amp specifications generally only consider the noise between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
Makers measure the signal-to-noise ratio by means of setting the amplifier such that the full output swing may be realized and by inputting a test signal to the amplifier that is generally 60 dB underneath the full scale of the amplifier. Next, the noise floor between 20 Hz and 20 kHz is calculated and the ratio to the full-scale signal computed. The noise signal at other frequencies is eliminated via a bandpass filter throughout this measurement.
Time and again the signal-to-noise ratio is shown in a more subjective manner as "dbA" or "A weighted". This technique was designed with the knowledge that human hearing perceives noise at different frequencies differently. Human hearing is most perceptive to signals around 1 kHz. Then again, signals under 50 Hz and above 13 kHz are barely heard. The A-weighted signal-to-noise ratio is typically higher than the unweighted ratio and is published in most amplifier parameter sheets.
When you have narrowed down your search by taking a look at some key criteria, such as the level of output power, the dimensions of the amplifier as well as the price, you are going to still have quite a few products to choose from. Now it is time to take a look at a few of the technical specifications in more detail. The signal-to-noise ratio is a rather vital parameter and shows how much noise or hiss the amplifier creates.
Evaluating the noise level of several amps can be done quite easily. Simply get together a couple of types that you wish to compare and short circuit the inputs. Afterward put the amp volume to maximum and check the level of noise by listening to the loudspeaker. You are going to hear some amount of hissing and/or hum coming from the speaker. This noise is generated by the amp itself. Ensure that the gain of the amps is set to the same level. Otherwise you will not be able to objectively compare the amount of static between different amps. The general rule is: the lower the level of static that you hear the higher the noise performance. When taking a look at the amplifier spec sheet, you want to look for an amp with a large signal-to-noise ratio number which suggests that the amplifier outputs a small level of noise. One of the reasons why amplifiers make noise is the fact that they use components such as transistors as well as resistors which by nature generate noise. Mostly the components which are located at the input stage of an amplifier will contribute most to the overall hiss. Thus suppliers typically will select low-noise components whilst developing the amp input stage.
Most of today's power amps are digital amplifiers, also known as "class-d amplifiers". Class-D amplifiers utilize a switching stage which oscillates at a frequency between 300 kHz to 1 MHz. This switching frequency is also hiss that is part of the amplified signal. However, recent amp specifications generally only consider the noise between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
Makers measure the signal-to-noise ratio by means of setting the amplifier such that the full output swing may be realized and by inputting a test signal to the amplifier that is generally 60 dB underneath the full scale of the amplifier. Next, the noise floor between 20 Hz and 20 kHz is calculated and the ratio to the full-scale signal computed. The noise signal at other frequencies is eliminated via a bandpass filter throughout this measurement.
Time and again the signal-to-noise ratio is shown in a more subjective manner as "dbA" or "A weighted". This technique was designed with the knowledge that human hearing perceives noise at different frequencies differently. Human hearing is most perceptive to signals around 1 kHz. Then again, signals under 50 Hz and above 13 kHz are barely heard. The A-weighted signal-to-noise ratio is typically higher than the unweighted ratio and is published in most amplifier parameter sheets.
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