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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Signal variation, noise, and effects on circuit topology
Post Subject: No, that is exactly what I am saying!Posted by drdna on: 12/7/2008
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 Romy the Cat wrote:
 drdna wrote:
I would like to start a compendium of anecdotal observations of the idiosyncratic nature of COMPONENT PLACEMENTS in the circuit.
Surely all passive components in the circuit have influence, but I think instead of looking at the generic anecdotal observations that have no references to the location of element in circuit and HOW this specific element was used it has more since to look at the performance of the very specific elements in context of very specific audio element or circuit. This gives a certain framework and a certain frame of references. I for instance would like to hear what people might say about Sound (or more precisely to say “the sounds” and I feel passive elements operate at First Listening level on my Listening Scale) of a coupling capacitor between first and second stage of Yamamoto’s AD1 amp, or the differences in OPT’s core in some kind of Shindo amp, or sonic differences using a different type of cartridge loading resistor with Aesthetix phonostage, or the need a quality cap between the TU-X1’s detector and decoder. My interests on all of it are much applied and very specific..

Yes, this is a fine example. I should have given examples. Naturally, the information is only of use if we know the application. I am more willing to ignore the idea of an objective, since nobody except us here approaches sound this way. It is usually just try it and see if it's "better." But, I am willing to take whatever information I can get and try to sort it all out later.

So, my example is this: in a simple two-stage cascaded DHT design, between a 6SN7 and 2A3, the type of coupling capacitor makes a significant difference in the sound. Compared with polypropylene, polystyrene, and teflon capacitors, using paper-in-oil copper foil capacitors improved resolution and musical sounds of attack and decay, for overall improved dynamics. Grain in the midrange was reduced, allowing the sounds to be presented in a more relaxed way in a deeper soundstage, facilitating more emotional involvement. The use of different capacitors is important in this position.

 Romy the Cat wrote:
Take an element, or the collection of the elements, that do NOT indicate any expressiveness in their own. Then place them into a topological application and you receive Sound. As the result, the only you specific topology will be fully responsible for the Sound, BUT the actions and efforts of the given components. I can give many examples but for instance the aforementioned Cube 950 has no own expressiveness and completely neutral in all application where I ever used it. As far as I concern if the Cube 950 was used and something does not sound correct then the problems are somewhere else or in the topological application.
Agreed, which is why I say it must be in the context of the application. Imagine this: you have a Ford F-150 and Honda Civic. For driving to local record store, both are fine: no difference. But then, for moving washer and dryer, suddenly F-150 works much better. AND then, with only $10 for gas money for a long trip, suddenly Honda Civic works and Ford completely does not.

The different physical characteristics of the components reveals something about the specific application. It is not enough that both F-150 and Civic are both auto with four wheels and engine, any more than Cube 950 and MIT are both capacitors.

We can look at differences in specific applications to begin to understand properties of circuit that are important but which we have been ignoring in a systematic way so far.

 Romy the Cat wrote:
I might be interesting to hear from different people their list of recommended passive elements they prefer to use in different locations, and we have seen it a lot including from me.
Well, that is why I started this thread: we have a bunch of smart people here; we should try to put our heads together on this. The knowledge we may get can be important and powerful to topological design choices.

Adrian

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