What Is Intermodulation Distortion?

The Hifi Podcast with Darren and Duncan

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2+ y ago 1:36:36

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"Not all distortion is horrible" is a notion many come to observe at some point along the audiophile journey. Maybe that's not the best way to put it. How about, "some distortions are less horrible than others".

In past episodes of The Hifi Podcast, Darren and Duncan have talked about complex versus simple distortions, and the fact that simple circuits and simple devices distort simply. And simple distortion is much, much more tolerable to our ears.

Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is a complex beast of a distortion, creating byproducts of the difference between competing frequencies. A shimmering cymbal hit with fundamentals of 9KHz and 9.1KHz for example will produce an IMD product of 100Hz. Yes, that's right - artificial bass noise created from within the amplifier, for just these two tones. Imagine what happens with real music playing!

This week's episode focuses on IMD and explains why amps are the biggest culprits of this sonic bugaboo.

Also in this episode, the guys answer a couple questions about system battery power and round listening rooms. The album of the week is a killer sounding new joint from perhaps the biggest name in bluegrass right now.

This podcast is powered by CommonGround Cables Whisper power cable. Read customer reviews and order your own at www.commongroundcables.com.

Find all of our album recommendations in one place, at www.thehifipodcast.net.

97 episodes