Vocabulary question

the rise time to a certain power is fast.

Hi Marakanetz,

Can you explain that sonically?

thanks

Some amplifiers will not have the power reserves to reproduce a sudden burst of musical energy. An amplifier which does possess this reserve power is able to reproduce this difficult passage of music. When the sudden burst of musical energy occurs the amplifier reproduces it immediately and completely. A lesser amplifier will trim detail and not provide the sudden impact of this piece of music. This is where the expression 'fast' is derived.

I hope this makes sense to you. You might also run down to Barnes and Noble and grab a copy of Robert Harley's "Complete Guide to Highend Audio." His book has many of the definitions a person might be seeking.

For me an amp which is fast is one in which the leading edge of a note (burst of sound) rises from nothing to full reproduction in a very short time. Think of a graph with a flat line which, when there is a burst of energy, can move perpendicular to its original path, i.e. 90 degrees (which would be as fast as it can get) or could rise on an lesser angle which would make a duller sound. (The correlation to rise time is how long it takes an amp(and speaker)to release a sound, i.e. damping). An amp which is fast can greatly enhance the sense of pace and rhythm of music if your speakers are up to it.