Ok - Firstly i'm sure this was done before - however i want to bring it up again with the advent of many digital processors, etc that have very good channel separation, and some that are "not so good"...
Obviously the source is the start of it all - let's assume we have a PERFECT source, i.e. channel separation could not be better at ALL...
So you run to your processor, say it has a channel separation of 90db @ 1khz (all these "@1khz" measurements tend to be wrong anyway!), would you notice if a different processor had, say a 70db channel separation? 20db sounds one hell of a lot, but what difference would it make, in say, an SQ comp where pure SQ is all that matters?
Signal to noise ratio is nearly redundant these days as they always have high measurements of 100db+...
What if the source has a separation of 90db, and the processor has 70db? Wouldn't that be a "wrong" idea to run that type of processor?
Just throwing some questions out to the experts!
Aaron

If you're listening to music at ~90db, are you really going to hear crosstalk happening at 20db?

Oh and for the vinyl purists, normal range for a turntable cartridge is 20-35 dB. :wink:

channel separation, imo, is not nearly as important a spec as s/n in processors. the last thing you want is a noisy component in your system.

having said that, its the end result that matters. who cares if your processor possesses 80db s/n and 20db of separation if it sounds like heaven.

d

Channel separation and signal/noise ratios are similar in that they exist in any system as a 'weakest link sets the measurement' scenario. What I mean is that no matter how good the separation is, or how low the noise floor is of your best components, the system's separation and noise floor can only be as good as the least performing component.

Channel separation is a tough thing to compare between components, but in my experience units like the Clarion HX-D2 (which offers excellent separation characteristics) will manifest this as great ability to pin point instruments and performers o the sound stage.

All of the above is correct however not only is the weakest link the final spec that the system will have, so is the medium used. A DVD Audio system may have greater than 100db seperation but put a CD in and you cant improve the CDs lower seperation, and tune in to FM radio and it will drop again.

Its not a spec Id get to fussed about as nearly all quality components would exceed whats required for great imaging staging etc. If your shopping at the lower end it may be an issue but not with quality gear
peace
Cyberpunky