2. amps-preamps
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Negative feedback Amp=more faithful reproduction?

Negative feedback (NFB) vs zero negative feedback (ZNFB). There seems to be unsubstantiated contention that ZNFB amps sound more realistic. I know this is an age old debate favoring the ZNFB design, but I think most audiophiles have never bothered to look into this matter and believe the advertisements and proponents of zero NFB design. I have been in that camp until recently. My own experience and research into articles on this matter leads to me believe NFB is needed for faithful reproduction of music. I'm not saying NFB design is more "musical", which is a highly subjective term and usually means more euphonic or colored. I've posted a similar question awhile back, but I was hoping we can have a more evidence based discussion on this matter. Perhaps, we need clarification of descriptive terms we use to describe sound. My contention is, in general, NFB designs produces a more accurate or faithful reproduction of music than ZNFB designs. Here is a very good article on feedback and distortion:

http://sound.westhost.com/articles/distortion+fb.htm
dracule1
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edwyun
244 posts
 
"NF design is just one aspect. Alone, it means relatively little."

And I would go so far as to say design elements other than NFB (or ZNFB) have a greater effect on how an amp sounds.

Take it all in perspective. Enjoy and happy listening!
dracule1 OP
1,085 posts
 
Edwyun, I have an amp with adjustable feedback, so you can change feedback while keeping every other parameter constant. In this case, feedback can have a significant, if not drastic, effect on the sound. So stating feedback alone has little effect does not hold true in this case.
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edwyun
244 posts
 
Dracule1:
So you are looking for a technical explanation as to why you like and find more realistic your amp with NFB than with ZNFB?

I believe the technical explanation is in the article you provided a link to in your OP. Some may agree, others may disagree. I have read that article and others from the author. Some things I agree with and others I do not. He also states that there has been great disagreement on the issue. So why would you expect anything less?

If you agree with the article then fine. That's all there is to it.
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edwyun
244 posts
 
Well then it appears that your particular amp needed NFB to begin with.
dracule1 OP
1,085 posts
 
The degree of feedback needed is dependent on speaker that is driving. You make a valid point. The designer purposefully built feedback into the amp.

I don't necessarily understand the article fully as my technical knowledge is limited, but I can recognize a well thought out article when I see it. I wanted start a discussion on this subject, and see what others had to say. Like I said, this seems to be the wrong forum. Many here are subjectivists and do not care about objective analysis.
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