"Rusty Boudreaux" wrote in message


To summarize my position:

The AES and IEEE define high fidelity as "a playback system for
reproducing, as close as possible to the original recording, without
alterations other than gain". In the case of an audio amplifier with
preamp type inputs and speaker level outputs this means amplifying
the audio signal without adding any audible effects other than
gain.

Ditto for every dictionary I've looked the phrase "high fidelity" up in,
that had an entry for it.

A designer can choose to implement an amplifier that modifies
the incoming signal and a consumer can prefer that arrangement.

Think of a classic guitar amplifier in the style of Fender.

However, in the strict technical sense that device does not meet
the requirements for a high fidelity amplifier.

That's why guitar amps aren't usually sold as hifi amps.

However, it's possible that some Carys might make good, albeit low-powered
guitar amps. Think of an original Pignose made for trust fund babies.

To make an obscene example, a designer could design an amplifier
with a frequency response of only 500Hz to 5kHz with a big sharp
null at 2kHz. He doesn't like bass because it bothers his
neighbors. High frequencies are eliminated because he thinks
they sound harsh and maybe he has an extreme sensitivity to 2kHz
sounds due to hearing damage. Even with the weird frequency
response this might be a very popular product. However, it does
not meet the technical requirements of a high fidelity audio
amplifier.

Today's skill-testing question - which speaker(s) would cause a typical SET
deliver that kind of frequency response to it's terminals?

;-)