293 watts at .1% distortion into 8 ohms

[MKtheater]

Does anyone know how much power there would be for a .05% distortion and then .005% distortion? Thanks

[Chu Gai]

You would need to measure it as there's no way of determining this empirically. Why do you care?

[Jonomega]

[QUOTE=MKtheater]Does anyone know how much power there would be for a .05% distortion and then .005% distortion? Thanks[/QUOTE]

That all depends on the quality of the parts. For instance, the amp might not be handle the current necessary for higher wattages after a certain point. There would be an asymptote/spike to its power handling vs. distortion somewhere which depends on the quality of the parts.

[MKtheater]

I don't care about specs as I listen to amps to see what I like. I was just curious because many amps boast how powerful they are. This one always says how powerful it is but looking at this spec tells me that a 200 watt per channel amp with lower distortion(.01-.05%) is just as powerful because if measured at a .1% distortion. That is why I always preferred a cleaner sounding amp, not just the most powerful.

[whoaru99]

Then is a question of whether or not you can actually hear any difference between 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.005%.

[MKtheater]

Very true, but at .1% distortion is where people should be able to hear it, so I read. I am just curious about the difference. Many people buy amps because of their power. For instance one might look at this and say a 300 watt per channel amp compared to a 200 watt per channel amp which is measured at .005% distortion. I am curious how much watts would that 200 watt amp be if measured at .1%? Maybe then the wattage would be much closer. By the way the amp at 293 watts measures 335 watts at 1% distortion. So as you see the higher the distortion the higher the watts. I am curious.

[whoaru99]

"Should" is a very nebulous word. ;)

It'll be interesting to see where this goes, if anywhere, because I think there are too many variables when actually playing music (vs. perhaps pure tones) to put your finger on just one point. One variable is the sensitivity of the ear to distortion at various frequencies, another is the type of distortion.

I can only image that the mechanics of a speaker are significantly more of a factor than the difference between 0.005, 0.05, 0.1, or even 1.0% distortion, or the difference of 293 watts vs 335 watts from an amplifier.

[Chu Gai]

That depends on the order of distortion and can be masked by the program material. The value you gave, 0.1% is an aggregate value for THD I assume and to focus on this as a singular figure of merit is perhaps overlooking a host of other factors that may be important in your buying decision.

[shadow 8]

Where is there evidence that .1 % distortion is audible?

[M Code]

[QUOTE=MKtheater]Does anyone know how much power there would be for a .05% distortion and then .005% distortion? Thanks[/QUOTE]


Power output differences would be very minimal..
As the the THD increases very rapidly.. as the amplifier starts to go into clipping..

For example.. if the THD was measured @ 1% the additional power output would go up only slightly. Assuming the amplifier had not yet started to clip..

To fully answer the question we need to see the actual power output vs. THD graph for the subject product..

[Stereojeff]

I am not aware of any empirical data that shows that consumers can differentiate below .2% THD. I think that is still the verified limit.

Jeff

[MKtheater]

I know I would not be able to hear the difference between those distortion levels, I was just trying to see how different amp companies rate their respective power specs. I already own an amp I love I won't be changing anytime soon.

[dsmith901]

The original OP question was on the mark to the extent that manufacturers play with specs to emphasize what they want to use as a selling point. They not only quote power at higher THD levles, for dynamic (short) periods, and they also limit it to certain frequencies instead of full-range, and at lower impedances. That is why the FCC mandated amplifier specs long ago (for 2 channel and mono amps) to stop that nonsense. Unfortunately it has been revived in the age of multichannel amps.

[whoaru99]

FTC. But, I knew what you meant. ;)

It sure would be nice to have that multi-channel amp/reciever playing field leveled as well.

[dsmith901]

[QUOTE=whoaru99]FTC. But, I knew what you meant. ;)

It sure would be nice to have that multi-channel amp/reciever playing field leveled as well.[/QUOTE]

Yes, thanks for the correction.