S/N ratio really important?

Meeks32

Im looking to buy a new 4 channel amp since my old eclipse has a channel cutting out. Ive been looking at deals on ebay for new amps around $275 or lower & alot out there have pretty poor s/n ratios. I thought I found a good deal on a MTX & JBL amp but the they have s/n ratio's under 80. Does this really matter much? I know higher is better & understand what the reading means but is there really an audible difference between those & say a nakamichi or older ppi with 100+ readings?

MacLeod

Those amps are rated using the CEA2006 specs which rates things with uniform standards. I dont know the exact reason why but everybodys SNR rating dropped considerably when going to this.

However, I dont think they matter as long as youre dealing with major brands. Theyre all going to have SNR well above the audible range.

PoweredByDodge

what the hell?

All the MTX gear was in the 100 - 110 db range of S/N ratio last time that I took the time to check.

Although, I believe it was always subscripted as "A Weighted" - whatever the hell that means.

80 db seems like junkity junk, but, if its 'unweighted', then maybe that's about right. I have not noticed any more noise in the output of new MTX amps as opposed to old ones.

bknauss

Don't worry about SNR on decent amps like MTX and JBL.

The reason for the drop in numbers is that people were measuring the noise and then the signal level at full power. CEA2006 says you have to measure the signal at 1W to keep everything uniform. So yea... the signal level difference between 1W and 500W is a tad bit different. Just a smidge.

PoweredByDodge

strong you are in ways of the force

bknauss

I have to deal with the force every day... just call me practiced