2. amps-preamps
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5% THD to .000 THD SOUND

I was searching the amplifiers available and noticed quite a big difference in THD specs from model to model. Example.. One of the best amplifiers Kondo Audio Note $150k Kagura has 5% THD and by reviewers definition sounds like an amazing amplifier. Now compare $ 30k  Devialet with the lowest 0.000% THD on the planet. Both at the opposite end of design yet both sound amazing.. according to reviewers, I havn t heard either. SN/R  133 by Devialet and a lot less by Kagura. I realize an amplifiers sound can t be based by Specs alone.  If the specifications are not that important to the sound, why list them? They must be a way of determining sound, quality, and system synergy of an amplifier? A whole lot of amplifiers purchased on the net haven t been heard before and I believe the decision to purchase is made by reviewers point of view, specifications and word of mouth of other owners and buyers pocket book. By looking at specs of Devialet and NOT knowing the prices of Kagura and Devialet I would of gone with the Devialet just based on specs alone for the impression of it being a  great sounding amplifier.  Ive read other discussions on forum and cant quite get a handle on why BOTH amplifiers sound great. I thought High THD was a bad thing..
derrickengineer

Showing 1 response by gs5556

gs5556
1,209 posts
 
You answered your own question -- the specs steered you into spending money towards the advertised distortion spec. Marketing strikes again.

THD specs can be misleading if they are taken at one frequency at a very low power output. THD, in general, changes as frequency and power output changes. I don't see how anything can be a flat zero distortion and if there is I can't see how that would sound any better than 0.01% at full load -- which is way below the threshold of hearing.

Tube amps generate second order harmonic distortion which is one octave above the fundamental, so both frequencies cannot combine and interfere with the signal from the source. This is like having the same instrument playing two separate tones in unison an octave apart, resulting what appears to be a warmer, fuller sound. But it's still distortion even though it can sound great.
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