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Harmonic distortion inquiry

As much as I’ve searched and read on audio component distortion ratings, I’m unsuccessful finding one elusive answer. Does the THD of each individual component accumulate, or is the effect limited to the highest (noisiest) one component? Simple example question; if each device has .03% of THD for a phone pre-amp, pre-amp, and power amp, is the system distortion .09%? 
 

sdguyer87
gdnrbob
4,457 posts
 

Ralph Karsten (Atmasphere), would be the person to either chime in or PM.

Bob

tablejockey
3,934 posts
 

Whatever the answer is, your setup is at a level NOT to be concerned. 

 

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 

Since THD is calculated as root-sum-square of rms voltages of individual harmonics as a percentage of fundamental I wouldn't just add THDs of two devices.  Most likely it would be again root-sum-square of two (or three) THDs.

sdguyer87 OP
2 posts
 

Thank each of you for the helpful responses! 

4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 

Well it didn't help me much. My brain just exploded all over the floor and I have to mop up!🤣

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