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Damping Factor - Interesting article

Benchmark Media published interesting article on Damping Factor.  I already knew that it does not make much difference for the damping of the membrane, but low output impedance is necessary to drive changing impedance ot the speaker (ideal voltage source).  According to this article DF=100 produces about 0.5dB variations typically, while DF=200 reduces it to 0.1dB.  DF above 200 is inaudible.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-damping-factor-isnt-much-of-a-factor?omnisendAttributionID=email_campaign_5eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2&omnisendContactID=5cf9266b15b61cc5a2a4dee7&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+AUDIO+MYTH+-+%22DAMPING+FACTOR+ISN%27T+MUCH+OF+A+FACTOR%22+%285eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

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Showing 2 responses by jtgofish

jtgofish
490 posts
 
Most modern speakers are simply wrong because they have uneven impedance curves and their impedance is too low in the bass region which then means you need amplifiers with low output impedance/high damping factors/negative feedback/high current supply to try to correct these electrical flaws.Two wrongs trying to make a right.When what we should be using is speakers with benign impedance curves in combination with current drive /high output impedance amplifiers because current drive amplifiers sound so much better than voltage drive.http://education.lenardaudio.com/en/12_amps_8.htmland  https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&u...
jtgofish
490 posts
 
"With low-damping-factor tube amps, I hear more of a sense of ease and liveliness and immersion. I’m hearing more stuff going on, it’s like the voices and instruments have more texture. Music is more engaging at lower sound pressure levels, which I think is related to the low-level details not needing as much SPL in order to be audible. At high sound pressure levels the difference is arguably even more noticeable, as there is an absence of the edginess which often starts to set in as the SPL goes up. I’m hearing more of a difference in soundscape and ambience from one recording to the next, with more of a sense of being "transported into" the recording, especially when it’s a really good one. There is a powerful emotional experience (some might call it spiritual) which some music can convey, but it calls for intensity and density and freedom from distractions. The least expensive amplification I have found which can do this is low-damping-factor tubes... specifically, the Atma-Sphere S-30 and M-60 [dealer disclaimer reminder]."



All that is what I hear with Bakoon amplifiers.Which are class A/B but which are reputed to be zero negative feedback/high output impedance/ current drive/probably low damping factor amplifiers.In simple terms they simply sound incredibly clear and pure.Which I have really only heard elsewhere from expensive SET amps like the Kondo Ongaku.
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