In Reply to: I think it means reproduction of the input signal posted by tomservo on February 28, 2024 at 10:37:11:
For amplification, Peter Walker called it "straight wire with gain." And many modern amplifiers come very close to that ideal.
Trouble is, transducers at BOTH ends of the chain still fall far short of the ideal. Many different types of microphones, for many different recording situations, because all of them are SO far from "perfect," with their widely varying frequency responses and pickup patterns.
Even the best speakers and headphones differ widely in linear and non-linear distortions, dispersion patterns, and all the imperfections we call "colorations." Ultimately it all comes down to listener preference, which is why there are so many different kinds.
And don't even get me started on phono cartridges/tonearms/turntables, for which there are hardly any standards of "accuracy."
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Follow Ups
- Exactly! What comes out should be identical to what goes in, in all significant parameters - Brian H P 02/28/2415:48:55 02/28/24 (2)
- The transducer paradox - Analog Scott 16:34:25 02/28/24 (1)
- RE: The transducer paradox - tomservo 09:14:05 02/29/24 (0)