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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
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
To all - most likely the 5% for the THD of that amplifier is a typo or whatever! maybe language issue! who knows. The generic great sounding tube amps back when this whole THD was big like 30 or 35 years ago came in with what was then thought to be relatively HIGH THD circa 0.5% THD or perhaps 0.05% THD, which IS relatively high compared to the Japanese amps and other SOLID STATE AMPS that were touted as having vanishingly low distortion were coming in circa 0.0005% or maybe even less in some cases. I.e., it was a tube amp vs solid state amp argument primarily. So, I kind of doubt the 5% number. It doesn’t make sense. And you know what Judge Judy says - if it doesn’t make sense it’s not true.

cheerios

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Geoff,
Good point,  i admittedly don't know the actual THD  of the Kagura ampllifier, conventional wisdom would predict an overtly colored sound.  What I heard was the antithesis of that assumption. 
Charles, 
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
Everyone should forget about specs and simply listen.  The ears are the best tool for evaluation.
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
Some forms of distortion are often associated with a distinctive sound that may have unique appeal and sound. Performance and sonic appeal are not the same thing.

Think of digital photography. There are many ways to make a photo that is accurate in terms of its representation look better or worse. In either case it’s a form of distortion in that the original is less accurately presented.

What one likes or not is almost always a subjective determination. Accuracy alone may not be the full ticket. But accuracy is objective and a good place to start always I think. In my case I think I strive to end up there as well. I want to hear the variations in recordings not have my gear give them a particular flavoring.  Especially since I listen to all genres of music. Old and new.   So much variety in each piece of art to hear.  No special sauce needed. 
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gdnrbob
2,421 posts
 
Great analogy, Mapman.
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