Better numbers??? Kenwood C1 (SNR 108dB) v/s C2 (SNR 79dB) @ line.
dan98svt
Posts: 83
Looking at pre-amps lately and was wondering about the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). The Kenwood Basics are quite differing in their specs. C1 shows 70dB (MC), 87dB (MM), 108dB (line) and the C2 73dB (MC), 73dB (MM), 79dB (line).
Everyone says the C2 is better, but the specs say otherwise (except for the MC).
Am I reading it wrong? Isn't a higher SNR (higher signal than noise) better sounding?
In case the rest is in the details, I'll post more specs:
C1:
Frequency response: 1Hz to 250kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.004%
Input sensitivity: 0.25mV (MC), 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 70dB (MC), 87dB (MM), 108dB (line)
Output: 1V (Pre out), 5V (Pre out Max)
C2:
Frequency response: 1Hz to 350kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.001%
Input sensitivity: 0.2mV (MC), 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 73dB (MC), 73dB (MM), 79dB (line)
Output: 150mV (line), 1V (Pre out)
Haven't heard either, but can't buy both... What do the numbers say? Why does that differ with what people say?
Dan
Everyone says the C2 is better, but the specs say otherwise (except for the MC).
Am I reading it wrong? Isn't a higher SNR (higher signal than noise) better sounding?
In case the rest is in the details, I'll post more specs:
C1:
Frequency response: 1Hz to 250kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.004%
Input sensitivity: 0.25mV (MC), 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 70dB (MC), 87dB (MM), 108dB (line)
Output: 1V (Pre out), 5V (Pre out Max)
C2:
Frequency response: 1Hz to 350kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.001%
Input sensitivity: 0.2mV (MC), 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 73dB (MC), 73dB (MM), 79dB (line)
Output: 150mV (line), 1V (Pre out)
Haven't heard either, but can't buy both... What do the numbers say? Why does that differ with what people say?
Dan
Answers
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C1 IMO.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Well, hey Doro!-Kevin
HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
2 Channel:
Oppo BDP-83 SE
Squeezebox Touch
Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
VTL 2.5
McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
B&W 801's
Transparent IC's -
Are the comparable input signal to noise ratios (e.g., MM phono inputs) for both components referenced to the same signal levels? If not, they can only be compared if the reference levels are given for both. For example, if a component has an S:N ratio of, say, 70 dB for MM phono referenced to 3 mV, the S:N ratio would be 75 dB* referenced to 10 mV.
S:N ratios for phono preamps all seemed to magically jump up in the late 1970s, but it was mostly because the reference outputs were increased.
EDIT For example, an S:N of 79 dB referenced to 150 mV would equate to about 94 dB referenced to 5V (5000 mV); 5000 mV is 15 dB more signal than 150 mV.
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* 74.77 dB, but it rounds to 75.
