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Distortion vs Output [message #10412] Wed, 01 March 2006 12:43 Go to next message
GarMan is currently offline  GarMan
Messages: 960
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (2nd Degree)
According to spec sheets of National's amp chips, THD declines as output power increase.

As an example, THD for LM3886, 8 ohm load, 1kHz:
0.03% at 10 mW
0.01% at 0.1 W
0.006% at 1 W
0.003% at 10 W

Does this mean that if I put an L-pad at the output of the amp to reduce signal to speaker by say 20dB, I can force the chip to operate at a higher wattage and therefore, lower distortion?

gar.


Re: Distortion vs Output [message #10413 is a reply to message #10412] Wed, 01 March 2006 16:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Manualblock is currently offline  Manualblock
Messages: 4973
Registered: May 2009
Illuminati (13th Degree)
Hey G-Man; are you following a build article or going it alone? Have you checked the Chip amp sites? I am sure you checked Rod Elliotts site but in case not he has a very good tutorial on these amps. Very down to earth and well written.

Re: Distortion vs Output [message #10414 is a reply to message #10412] Fri, 03 March 2006 17:16 Go to previous message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18677
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

'Spose you could, but that seems counter-intuitive. You know, 0.03% distortion is very low. I think I could probably live with that, all other things being equal. But if you do try to increase power output and load it down with an L-Pad, let us know how it sounds.


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