baszha Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 You guys are great for answers to my questions while I am learning about HT. Another question.....what is amplifier clipping? What causes it and how to stop it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnKuthe Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Amplifier "clipping" is when the amplifier cannot accurately reproduce peaks in audio sound signals, thus kind of flattens them off rather than reproducing and amplifying accurately the amplitude peaks in an audio signal. The best and most expensive way to prevent amplifier clipping is to buy an amplifier vastly over powered for what you'd be listening to. That way your amplifier is always ready to accurately reproduce any transient peaks that may occur. Cheapest, easiest way is to just TURN IT DOWN! đ John Kuthe... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wdecho Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 No problem with our speakers in reality. Hearing damage first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Another way of saying it would be to say that it's when you've exceeded the rated power output of the amplifier - and the amplifier "clips", or chops off the top and bottom of the waveform because it cannot reproduce it. Basically, you're out of power, and you're running into distortion. If you normally run at a watt, you need five watts to cover the peaks. If you run at 50, you need 250 watts. Ironically, most loudspeakers are damaged from not having enough power as opposed to having too much power. A low powered amplifier, overdriven, will destroy a driver in seconds. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baszha Posted August 8, 2018 Author Share Posted August 8, 2018 Thanks guys!! Great answers. I understand now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 you forgot to ask what clipping sounds like so you can identity it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzannucci Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 14 hours ago, Schu said: you forgot to ask what clipping sounds like so you can identity it. That's a slippery one. You may not be able to hear soft clipping and not notice it until you are firmly into hard clipping distortion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 17 hours ago, Deang said:  If you normally run at a watt, you need five watts  Make that 20 watts (13 dB) and you would be correct, in most cases. Some music has 16 dB peaks, 40 watts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 I remembered that while I was typing, but then I thought they had adjusted the number because of the âloudness warsâ. But I suppose youâre right, a lot people still own good recordings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baszha Posted August 9, 2018 Author Share Posted August 9, 2018 Thanks Again Guys for your answers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 9 hours ago, Deang said: I thought they had adjusted the number because of the âloudness warsâ  Speaking of the loudness wars, I saw a reply on the PSW forum that seems to indicate the loudness wars may be ending. Streaming services such as YouTube have set a standard that 16 dB above the average level must be allowed for peaks. Music that has been compressed to a DR of 4 dB will be adjusted so that the peaks are 12 dB below full scale, making it quieter, not louder. I have noticed that a CD mastered for loudness does sound quieter on YouTube than playing the actual CD on my laptop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.