Quantisation noise is noise. What do you mean by "just a model"? Quantisation means a random error signal (noise) added to the original signal.
We are getting somewhat off topic here.
Quantisation means limiting an analog signal to a number of defined (digital) levels. A quantisation noise model has been made to be able to estimate the noise effects of certain quantisation steps. But it is just a view on reality.
Quantisation of a signal has already quite some additional audible effects. Put your favorite track through a tool to make it 8 bit and listen. And yes you will also hear noise.
But probably in the Fusion, the recursive quantisation in the IIR filters have even a bigger impact. Adding channel gain would create more precision, as long none of the filters clip naturally.
Fedde
Okay, you reduce the level here and increase the level there, but it's all in the digital domain, so the result is totally the same sound, because the volume level offsets counteracting your added gain in the filter settings.
Indeed.
It doesn't make it any less real.
Quoantization to 8 bits is rather extreme - and as you acknowledge, the result is noise. What makes you think "the recursive quantisation in the IIR filters have even a bigger impact"?
See Review and Measurements of Soekris dac1421 Multibit DAC | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
And Soekris DAM1021 R2R DAC Measurements | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
Performance far below the DAC in the Fusion amps.
But audibly not detectable when compared with (in this case) a DS dac, as Amir confirmed in his review of Soekris dac1421.
When you prefer to rely on measurements only....please do if that makes you happy; for loads of "audiophiles" it is (poor guys...) their only reference.
However: learning to trust your ears makes audio life much more comfortable.
Visit live concerts...as soon as the sound of live music has settled in your mind you have your only true reference. Then you don't need confirmation with measurements, and the fact that measurements don't tell the whole story will be obvious. A pity so many audiophiles never reach that stage...
Comfortable, yes, just like faith and religion makes people comfortable. Fine if you are a consumer (one that buys and enjoys the gear), less fine if you are a development or testing engineer, designer or even DIYer who actually wants to understand how and why things work the way they do.
from following the last couple of pages I realise that with a hypex its better to boost all other channels (like woofer) instead of lowering the most sensitive one.
Right?
It is perfectly possible to combine the two and pick the best of both.
Engineers, designers and DIY'ers need proper technical approach, backed up by measurements, to get what they want. But so often they seem satisfied with the technical outcome and be done with it, not able to creep into the consumers' skin.
Problem is that many are looking for the "one and only truth", mostly because they feel uncertain and are looking for confirmations to deal with their uncertainty.
Indeed. That makes them easy victims for marketeers who claim improvements - confirmation bias is a strong effect.
In fact there is "one and only truth" - accuracy/transparency. Preferring coloration and distortion is a subjective preference, and chasing subjective preferences, while OK for individual listeners/consumers, is not a fruitful path for engineers and scientists (despite bringing in money to marketeers and salespeople).
Agreed with your "one and only truth" accuracy/transparency thing.
It is what "high fidelity" is looking for.
However, there are more means possible to strive for that ultimate goal, also with R2R dac technology and high quality class A/B amplifiers.
DS dacs and class D amplifiers are merely another mean, not inherently better.
Loudspeakers guys.....loudspeakers (and room acoustics).
Sure, but I assume you agree that low distortion and lack of noise and coloration is desirable?
If you ask me, it seems like for quite many, its actually not. So when you argue with people, you should first check what they are after. Thats my conclusion.
//
So before any discussion, I should ask "what kind of coloration do you happen to personally prefer?"?
I wonder what answers we would hear.
