Parasound pairing?

[N Boros]

This is not a substitute for critical listening, BUT, here are 1KHz FFT measurements at 5W, 95W and 150W, out to 90 KHz:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...-4#post-132243

Many receivers rolloff at 20 kHz, but still do have significant output at 30kHz:

https://www.audioholics.com/av-recei...1/measurements


Not all preamplifiers do though, like this one that goes past 90 kHz:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/...r-measurements

The Oppo disc player seems to also extend well past 20kHz to around 90 kHz:

https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-203/


So for example, if we use an Oppo as our source, connected to this Parasound preamp, with a digital amplifier, our Raal ribbon tweeters might be getting some of these ultrasonics, unless I'm missing something.

[jimb]

...
So for example, if we use an Oppo as our source, connected to this Parasound preamp, with a digital amplifier, our Raal ribbon tweeters might be getting some of these ultrasonics, unless I'm missing something.

Two different issues. The data I referenced is about distortion in the power amp, not audio sources, and it WILL go to the speakers. Your point about high frequency source material making it to the speakers through the amp is determined by its frequency response, and we usually want that to be extended well above 20 KHz. From the review I cited, the NC400 is -3dB at about 70KHz.

[N Boros]

Two different issues. The data I referenced is about distortion in the power amp, not audio sources, and it WILL go to the speakers. Your point about high frequency source material making it to the speakers through the amp is determined by its frequency response, and we usually want that to be extended well above 20 KHz. From the review I cited, the NC400 is -3dB at about 70KHz.

You are right. Since it was distortion at 90 kHz, it would go to the speakers, however you would be hard pressed to find a speaker that can reproduce 90 kHz. I'm not sure what would happen if you try to send something 90 kHz to a speaker, if that in and of itself would produce distortion lower down to where the speaker can reproduce it. At the other extreme I know if you send some subwoofers a 3 Hz signal, they might try to reproduce and potentially damage themselves, if the gain is high enough.

In the signal chain that I mentioned above (Oppo source, Parasound preamp, most any amplifiers and Sierra towers with Raal ribbon tweeters), if the source is calling for above 20kHz, then you should be getting that out of the speakers. I wonder if this can introduce fatigue, if there is enough of it in a recording.