Don Pearce wrote:
On Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:00:04 +0100, tony sayer
wrote:

In article , Dave Plowman (News)
scribeth thus
In article ,
John Phillips wrote:
The only time I listened to a (4 W) SET amplifier it was driving a pair
of 'speakers which had a sensitivity of just 84 dB SPL at 1 m for 1 W.
To my ears the system was distorting badly and, as it happened, I was
able to verify that it was indeed clipping (albeit soft clipping).
But the owner would have none of this and described the sound as highly
lifelike. I backed off, of course. Although the system sounded bad to
me, if the owner was enjoying it then who was I to say what he should
or should not enjoy.
It seems to me that human sensitivity to distortion can be very variable.
I seem to be somewhat sensitive. Others are clearly not.
I think that sensitivity can be developed by training but I have come
to the conclsion that I would never take any such training. It could
only lead to less satisfaction with audio kit and never more.
We actually have a very easy way of checking for *gross* distortion - the
time pips on R4. Assuming you know what clean sine wave sounds like, that
is. Try playing those back from vinyl...

What do they sound like on low bitrate DAB 'tho;?...

You can't hear them at all on DAB, unless you are prepared to hang
around for a minute or two.

I can't hear them on vinyl either, unless someone can recommend an LP
with the BBC time signal on it.
I don't think it would be very accurate due to the time delays inherent
in the pressing and distribution system.

--
Eiron.