![\"Copland](\"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Copland-makes-awesome-amplifiers.jpg\")
1. Don’t use digital jacks just because they are<\/h3>\n
Integrated amplifiers and preamps are increasingly being equipped with digital inputs due to the growing prevalence and popularity of digital sources.\u00a0However, their digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuits are not always as elaborate as the analog sections.\u00a0Therefore, we would recommend that the owner of a CD player or other device with analog and digital outputs try both methods of connecting to an amplifier in order to understand which one gives the best sound – and therefore which component in the chain has a better DAC.<\/p>\n
Likewise, if you want to upgrade your stereo amplifier, don’t buy a model with digital connections or Bluetooth if you don’t need them.\u00a0Part of the cost of developing and manufacturing the device – which, of course, is always shifted to the buyer to one degree or another – in this case will be wasted.\u00a0You will have to pay for amenities you don’t need;\u00a0choosing an all-analog model will give you the best value for money.\u00a0You can always buy an external DAC if you change your mind – and in any case, they are usually better than the built-in ones.<\/p>\n
If you still want to use a digital connector, consider whether to choose coaxial or optical if your source and amplifier support both connection options.\u00a0A coaxial digital connection uses electricity to transmit an audio signal, while an optical connection uses laser light.\u00a0In our experience, the former usually produces a better sound than the latter.\u00a0It has higher bandwidth to support higher-sampled file formats up to 24-bit\/192kHz.\u00a0The optical channel is usually limited to 96 kHz.<\/p>\n
2. Don’t Forget About Digital Filters<\/h3>\n
If your stereo amplifier supports digital technology, it may offer a number of switchable digital filters – usually steep, flat, linear phase, or minimum phase.\u00a0Roughly speaking, they represent the final stage of digital-to-analog conversion and provide the restoration of the waveform of the original signal using various methods of removing “false frequencies” – side components that inevitably arise in this process.<\/p>\n
In our experience, the difference in sound when switching between filters is not particularly great, but subtle sonic nuances caused by one or another option may better suit your taste or the nature of the system, so it’s worth experimenting with them.<\/p>\n
3. Don’t Neglect System Consistency<\/h3>\n
The synergy of the amplifier with the speakers connected to it is vital.\u00a0The electrical compatibility of an amplifier and a pair of speakers depends on three components: the output power of the amplifier (how many watts it can deliver to the speakers), the impedance of the speakers (how difficult it is for the amplifier to control them; this indicator is measured in ohms) and the sensitivity of the speakers (how loud they will play at specified input level; measured in decibels).<\/p>\n
You are unlikely to like the situation when the amplifier does not have enough power to fully pump the speakers;\u00a0at best, this can lead to a lack of dynamics and energy in the sound, and at worst, damage to the tweeters.\u00a0This may seem counterintuitive, but a pair of speakers is more likely to be damaged by a weaker amplifier that is forced to work with distortion than a really powerful device that seriously loads the speakers.\u00a0It is distortion that damages speakers, especially high-frequency ones.<\/p>\n
If you want your system to sound louder, choose a pair of more sensitive speakers rather than a more powerful amplifier.\u00a0The fact is that an increase in this indicator by 3 dB is equivalent to doubling the power of the amplifier.<\/p>\n
The tonal characteristics of all system components must also be considered;\u00a0for example, if one of them sounds too dry, then ideally you should not connect a component with a similar property to it.<\/p>\n
Also read:<\/p>\n
Top 8 best Hi-Fi players early 2022<\/a><\/p>\n All stereo amplifiers have line level analog inputs with RCA connectors;\u00a0but many models, especially the more expensive ones, are also equipped with 3-pin analog XLR inputs that carry balanced audio signals.<\/p>\n The main advantage of a balanced connection is that it helps to suppress electrical noise, making it suitable for applications with high noise levels or very long cables.\u00a0However, it does not always provide the best sound, especially in sub-High End systems;\u00a0it all depends on how well the balanced circuitry of the amplifier is designed.<\/p>\n If your machine is equipped with XLR and RCA connectors, try both and choose the one you prefer.<\/p>\n The surface on which the amplifier is mounted can radically change its sound.\u00a0Say, glass shelves give it an excess of straightness;\u00a0wooden, as a rule, form a warmer and more even character.\u00a0However, other properties of the surface material are even more important: it must be rigid, strictly horizontal and low-resonant – and therefore capable of minimizing vibrations transmitted to the device and reducing sound quality.<\/p>\n Amplifiers tend to get very hot, so be sure to leave space between the cabinet and the wall or stand to avoid trouble.<\/p>\n This factor may seem insignificant, but it is not uncommon for any audio device equipped with an electric display to sound better when it is turned off.\u00a0The fact is that during operation, this element can create electrical noise that can distort the sound.<\/p>\n If the display is not really needed (which is very likely in the case of a stereo amplifier, since it often only shows the selected input and volume level), turn it off if possible.<\/p>\n As a rule, we recommend laying 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of a Hi-Fi system on cables – interconnects, connecting sources and amplifier, and acoustic cables, going from the latter to speakers.<\/p>\n Even budget components will sound better with good interconnects, although the audible difference usually increases as the price of the system (and thus its sonic transparency) increases.\u00a0In addition, you should think about replacing the stereo amplifier’s power cord.<\/p>\n After all devices are connected, avoid placing network and signal cables too close to each other, as this may reduce the quality of their work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We all make mistakes when working with hi-fi equipment – from minor ones, like placing speakers too far apart, to catastrophic ones, like dropping a speaker and damaging the tweeter dome. In an effort to get your system up and running as soon as possible, you may accidentally lose sight of important factors for ideal […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":152679,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[784],"class_list":{"0":"post-152676","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hi-fi","8":"tag-guide"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152676"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152676\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stereoindex.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}4. Don’t think that a balanced connection is always better<\/h3>\n
5. Do not put the amplifier anywhere<\/h3>\n
6. Don’t keep the display on all the time<\/h3>\n
7. Don’t skimp on cables<\/h3>\n