Is SINAD the best measurement? https://headphones.com/blogs/features/evaluating-sinad-why-its-not-important

[Mumbleypig]

Is SINAD the best measurement? https://headphones.com/blogs/features/evaluating-sinad-why-its-not-important

 

[Mumbleypig]

"Since SINAD is a ratio to the sum of noise and distortion, it can be 'dominated' by one of the two if it is much higher. Because a 20dB difference is a tenfold change, the ratio doesn't change much between an amplifier with -80dB THD and -100dB noise, and one with -80dB THD and no noise at all. The following are examples of SINAD, one with distortion dominated equipment and the other with noise dominated equipment."

 

[JSmith]

There are plenty of existing threads with the term SINAD in the title, unsure why a new one is needed, as this is a very "old hat" discussion which is usually raised by those who don't grasp how device measurements work.

If you look at the measurement reviews here, you will see there is a lot more to it than just one SINAD (THD+N) figure... and yes of course it can be dominated by noise or distortion, which we can see in the FFT etc.

There is nothing new or interesting in that blog.


JSmith

 

[LTig]

it's on a website that sells audio equipment, so that would raise an eyebrow on their conflict of interest.
Amir does not measure SINAD of headphones or speakers
when you have high enough SINAD, you can be sure both noise and distortion are low. why settle for a DAC with SINAD of 80dB whether it's 80dB distortion/100dB noise or 100dB distortion/80dB noise, when you can easily get a DAC with SINAD of more than 100dB???

Actually @amirm and also Erin measure distortion of speakers and headphones as it is important to know how loud one can drive them. Noise however has no meaning for passive speakers and headphones as they do not produce it.

 

[delta76]

Actually @amirm and also Erin measure distortion of speakers and headphones as it is important to know how loud one can drive them. Noise however has no meaning for passive speakers and headphones as they do not produce it.

but it is not a simple SINAD. it's a full range distortion

 

[Sokel]

Good example about a term been abused, taken as the holy grail (far, FAR from it) and applied at totally unrelated pieces of gear.

It's actually funny.

 

[delta76]

Good example about a term been abused, taken as the holy grail (far, FAR from it) and applied at totally unrelated pieces of gear.

It's actually funny.

"they" (and not just the blog author) tend to make SINAD = ASR = Amir. By attacking SINAD they ridicule - or try to - Amir and ASR by extension. "SINAD is useless, chasing SINAD is not seeing the big picture", in an attempt to undermine Amir/ASR.

A tactic I've not seen in a while

 

[Sokel]

"they" (and not just the blog author) tend to make SINAD = ASR = Amir. By attacking SINAD they ridicule - or try to - Amir and ASR by extension. "SINAD is useless, chasing SINAD is not seeing the big picture", in an attempt to undermine Amir/ASR.

A tactic I've not seen in a while

"SINAD" has RF origins, 100 years ago, also used there for simplicity.
The rest of us preferred THD+N for audio, for decades.

The ones attacking Amir or whoever else is using it probably need a history lesson.
The other ones, who use it as an SQ index, also need to do some homework.

 

[Mort]

undermine Amir/ASR.

Where do you see evidence of this?

 

[delta76]

"SINAD" has RF origins, 100 years ago, also used there for simplicity.
The rest of us preferred THD+N for audio, for decades.

The ones attacking Amir or whoever else is using it probably need a history lesson.
The other ones, who use it as an SQ index, also need to do some homework.

they don't care, if they were knowledgeable or have critical thinking they would not have bought the audiophile BS

Where do you see evidence of this?

as I said, a long while. The link was shared here and it was basically bashing SINAD/Amir/ASR. I don't bother to find the link again (and probably could not even if I want to), but that is the tactic they have been using.

 

[kyuu]

One, you posted in the wrong place. The subhead under Testing Area states: "If you are trying to learn the forum software and or experimenting, you can post here."

Two, SINAD is just one number among the many that are presented in the course of a review. Don't fixate on it so much and consume the review in its entirety to form your judgement of the device in question.

 

[antcollinet]

No.

Which is why there is a whole suite of measurements carried out.

Next!

 

[Johnkeizer]

How I wish Amir had tested the PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp before I blew my money on it- I would have avoided it like the plague.
Unfortunately all I read were gushing reviews.