shauns@tekcad.UUCP (08/01/83)
In regards to the Audio magazine reviews of 2 manufacturers' CD players, and
their implied inadequate 1KHz square wave response:
Item: the B&O cartridge has obviously better 1KHz square wave response than the
CDs.
Visually, yes. But look at the tests on some other high end cartridges-
The Dynavector, the Grace F9E Ruby; a quick glance at the square wave
photos on these cartridges shows comparable ringing, yet they are touted
as ``neutral'', ``airy'', exhibiting ``good applause definition'', or
capable of ``revealing the inner voices of an orchestra''.
By the 1KHz square wave criterium, these highly praised units are just as
flawed as the CD players appear to be.
Is ringing at >20KHx actually audible to a human ear that cuts off at 20Khz and
usually doesn't make it much past 13KHz? I don't think so. I think that such
pictures as presented in Audio test reports are very misleading, performed as
they are on test equipment with a bandwidth far exceeding that of the human ear.
I suggest that the test be performed with a postfilter approximating the ear's
response to better determine the effect of such ringing on the listener.
As far as I can tell from the Audio reviewer's comments, he really DOESN'T know
what the 1KHz square wave tests really mean, if anything, and has included them
as an interesting aside.
Let the reader beware...
--
Shaun Simpkins
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