Ultra-Low-Noise Amplifiers and Granularity Distortion

Self DR. Ultra-Low-Noise Amplifiers and Granularity Distortion. J Audio Eng Soc. 1987;35(11):907-915. Available from: https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=5175

@article{Self1987_5175,
  author = {Self, Douglas R.},
  title = {{Ultra-Low-Noise Amplifiers and Granularity Distortion}},
  journal = {Journal of the Audio Engineering Society},
  volume = {35},
  number = {11},
  pages = {907--915},
  year = {1987},
  month = nov,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  url = {https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=5175}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Ultra-Low-Noise Amplifiers and Granularity Distortion
AU  - Self, Douglas R.
T2  - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
J2  - J. Audio Eng. Soc.
VL  - 35
IS  - 11
SP  - 907
EP  - 915
PY  - 1987
DA  - 1987/11/06
UR  - https://aes.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=5175
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - It has often been speculated in hi-fi publicatiaons that passive components such as capacitors and connectors may exhibit threshold or "granularity" effects, analogous to power-amplifier crossover distortion, that become audibly significant at low signal levels despite an ability to detect them with conventional instrumentation. An ultra-low-noise emplifier system of high linearity is described, which allows low-impedance passive components to be tested for nonlinear distortion or threshold effects at extremely low signal levels. Total harmonic distortion at the 0.01% level is detectable for a test signal level of 200 µV. The application of similar circuit techniques to the design of moving-coil head amplifiers of high quality is also described. No evidence of granularity was found in any of the components tested at low levels.
ER  -