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Noise reduction -why the rage now ?

Is it better science ? Or more needed today with the ’surge’ of switching power supplies, smart phones and Wi-Fi routers ? Then, higher-frequencies in digital interfaces -now megahertz and gigahertz.

The problem with the "needed more today" theory is that one, listeners are hearing things they never heard before. One report is from Paul of PS Audio (on his blog) stating that a 4K power cord transformed his system. Yet he sells a Power Plant.

Two, many reports of lower noise (in the last 10 years) were in systems with linear power supplies, not switch-mode.

Three, for digital, many people were using AES/EBU or i-squared interfaces. These don’t have the noise concerns of USB.

Fourth, many people listen at night. They know better, due to the problems of a noisy day-grid.

Yet, there it is -large gains from the latest power conditioners, ground blocks and after-market power cords. To me, today’s science is much better at doing this. Along with the "need today".
jonnie22
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The “signal” is alternating current and voltage virtually all the way from the wall outlet and power cord to the speaker terminals. The “audio waveform” per se doesn’t make its appearance until the speakers produce it. Prior to the speaker the signal is voltage and current. It’s not music until the speakers produce it.

I have not seen any studies regarding your question how RF or vibration affect the signal in wires.
jonnie22 OP
42 posts
 
So the signal magically appears at the speaker terminals, passing right over our electronics. That means delta-sigma DACs don’t affect the signal (sound different than R2Rs) etc. Thanks for the laugh.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The digital signal is not the waveform either. Good try, though. Better luck next time.
jonnie22 OP
42 posts
 
I never said the signal is part of a "waveform". I don’t know why you went off on this...

Then, read any text on the subject, going back to the 1800s and you’ll see that "the wave carries the signal". Are you disputing this ?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Gee whiz, isn’t it obvious I’m disputing this? This conversation can serve no purpose any more.
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