Opposing viewpoints Audio equipment testing

objectivists argue vacuum-tube amplifiers exhibit lower-fidelity solid-state designs, , in addition substantially higher total harmonic distortion level, require rebiasing, tend less reliable, less powerful, generate more heat, , more expensive. [1]

subjectivists argue while tube electronics less linear solid-state electronics @ high-signal levels, more linear @ low-signal levels (less 1 watt) , many musical signals spend of time @ these low levels.

however, in cases subjectivists claims can verified objective measure, not considered strictly subjective position. more literally subjectivist argument listeners may able discern pleasurable benefits tube equipment escape attempt @ objective measurement.

objectivists claim digital sound can have higher fidelity analog sound because lacks clicks, pops, wow, flutter, audio feedback, degradation, generational loss, , rumble, has higher signal-to-noise ratio, has wider dynamic range, has less total harmonic distortion, , has flatter , more extended frequency response. [2] [3]

subjectivists have argued process of converting bit-stream analog waveform requires heavy filtering remove spurious high-frequency information , should expected such filtering should involve signal degradation , large amount of phase shift in passband. point out commonly used consumer-grade digital-to-analog converters (dacs) exhibit poor linearity @ low levels.

both of these problems have since been verified objective measure, , addressed such solutions digital filtering, oversampling, , use of dacs operating @ 20-bit (or higher) resolution.

today, many objectivists , subjectivists may agree preference analog formats rooted in pleasing , familiar distortions , artifacts. @ same time, members of both camps might agree best historical analog formats have displayed great levels of audio fidelity well.

musician neil young harsh critic of sound of original cd format, has expressed approval sound of higher definition formats such sacd, believes has greater safety margin between ideal behavior , theoretical limits of human hearing.

however, many independent listening tests , mathematical studies have shown young s assertions untrue. regardless, in 2011, neil young filed paperwork trademark own developing high-resolution audio player. [4]

objectivists , subjectivist once @ odds importance of total harmonic distortion. both groups seem agree distribution of harmonic distortion can important in perceived sound quality. case subjective opinion verified objective measure, , taken account objectivist engineers.

although no longer technically point of contention, objectivists may more stress importance of reducing total harmonic distortion in system, while subjectivists may more stress importance on creating more pleasing distribution of harmonic distortion.