2. amps-preamps
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Grain free, how to identify it

I keep hearing continuously of grain free, efforless, natural reproduction... For example, certain preamplifiers such as those from LAMM, First Sound, CAT are characterized as grain free. I own one of these preamps, I wonder what people mean when they describe the product being grain free.....Does grain free mean, effortless, continuous reproduction of frequencies without necessarily sounding harsh...is harshness itself synonimous to CLINICAL sound? I know that there are products are that ever clinical, clean in sound, that are grain free, but I am uncertain about what does it really mean. Another element that can add to the confusion is the recording itself. If one has one of these GRAIN FREE devices and has a recording that was not well mastered or recorded, then obviously it will not necessarily sound "Grain free." Need someone to explain to me the nature behind this concept of grain free, and if there are recording or set ups which can truly allow me to understand it.
bemopti123

Showing 1 response by allanbhaganinfo

allanbhaganinfo
121 posts
 
Bemoptil23, this question is actually a very, very good one, unfortunately there is no real right answer or explanation of the definition, our perception of "grainy" can vary as wide as our tastes.

I perceive grain as a fragmentation of sound within a sound, almost as if there were little minute stops in the sound where the frequency that the graininess was, it seems that the more frequency it is perceived in, the larger the grain.

I have perceived amps with total grain and to me, it sounds like the sound stops and starts but so fast that it's almost imperceptible.

This is of course will be one opinion in many but I hope I was of some help.
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