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Amp "timing" ?

I was reading someone raving about the impeccable "timing" of their high-end amp this morning.  I have heard this term tossed around several times recently in my dive back into highish-end audio. 

Can someone please explain what is meant by this term?  Is it snake-oil or confirmation bias?  I just don't understand how a human  can hear  a timing difference of a soundwave unless it's a 2nd+ order reflection.  

Thoughts?
dtximages

Showing 2 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,865 posts
 
Wolf, your mind is safe at least for now....
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,865 posts
 
Sound is essentially changes in air pressure over time so yes sound is directly time based and there are many factors in an amplifier (and speakers) that together can result in timing differences and differences in sound. A high degree of detail, imaging and sound stage in a good high end setup is a good indicator that things are going well in regards to timing.

Lets not even get into the timing issues that may also be in the recording to start with to similar ill effect. You just have to live with those and try not to make things worse.


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