Interesting. It sounds like channel separation may not be causally related to sound quality, but can this provide some evaluative metric of the underlying engineering? For example, the Pass XP-22 preamp measured >110 db separation below 4 kHz and 96 db at 25 kHz. If this simply means that they paid extra attention in keeping the channels electrically separated, then maybe it indicates other characteristics that are also beneficial to the sound. As a scientist - but not an engineer - I remain puzzled about how the channels can bleed together at all in an amplifier (not a phono cartridge) if the right and left circuits are truly separated from input to output.
channel separation
Have been doing some preliminary research about possibly moving from a nice integrated to separates. Was hoping someone could set me straight on a measurement characteristic that has always bugged me: channel separation. Just read the Stereophile review of the Prima Luna EVO 400 preamp, which is described as dual mono from end-to-end. Yet, channel separation was measured at only 50 db (at 20 kHz) due to "capacitive coupling."
How can the channels bleed into one another when the entire layout is dual mono? Why do solid state preamps seem to measure better in this area - is the output device of importance? Most importantly - does this matter? I always imagined that greater separation would mean greater preservation of image and soundstage. Thanks very much!
How can the channels bleed into one another when the entire layout is dual mono? Why do solid state preamps seem to measure better in this area - is the output device of importance? Most importantly - does this matter? I always imagined that greater separation would mean greater preservation of image and soundstage. Thanks very much!