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Amp "timing" ?

I was reading someone raving about the impeccable "timing" of their high-end amp this morning.  I have heard this term tossed around several times recently in my dive back into highish-end audio. 

Can someone please explain what is meant by this term?  Is it snake-oil or confirmation bias?  I just don't understand how a human  can hear  a timing difference of a soundwave unless it's a 2nd+ order reflection.  

Thoughts?
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Showing 5 responses by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Correct. Engine's have timing. Distributor's do not. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I tried rolling tubes one night on impulse. Bad pitch. One rolled right into the amp, threw the timing off so much it slewed right into the Schiit. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
When I go to Benaroya the orchestra sounds nothing like the million dollar (Seriously. Okay. Technically more like a million two.) stereo at Definitive. Mine does.

But we are getting a little OT. Regarding amp timing, which do you guys think works better for timing? Amp timing belt? Or chain?
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Btw you can easily set this using track 3 of Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Amp timing can cause speaker plodding. When this happens, advance amp timing gradually until you hear PRAT, then back off a degree or so. 
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