rca output, how clean is clean?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=123044
Printed Date: August 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM

Topic: rca output, how clean is clean?

Posted By: soundnsecurity
Subject: rca output, how clean is clean?
Date Posted: August 09, 2010 at 10:45 AM

how can i tell the difference between a good, low distortion rca output and a cheaper one. as far as i know there are no specs unless you use the same specs for the internal amp. they only give the impedance or the rca output and the voltage, is that all i need?

the reason i ask is because the THD for my internal amp on my JVC is less than 1.0%, which is garbage. but, that's all it says and i hope that doesn't carry over to the RCA output too. so can anyone clarify this for me?

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Replies:

Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: August 09, 2010 at 11:39 AM

The only way you'd be able to tell would be to know the output devices themselves, then look up the specs for that particular device.

It is odd, that nobody ever lists the full RCA specs, though...

Most decent op-amps will be VERY low, here's a typical low-noise, high quality op-amp from Analog Devices, and it's particular spec is .0003%

Pretty clean, I'd say. Check with i am an idiot, I bet he could link you to the exact output device on your particular deck!

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Posted By: soundnsecurity
Date Posted: August 09, 2010 at 11:47 AM

awesome, thanks. as long as it isn't something like <1%THD and something more like .005% thats fine with me.

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