For more information on SINAD and why it’s not important, here’s the article, along with the test tones if you want to try it for yourself: https://www.headphones.com/community/reviews-learning-and-news/evaluating-sinad-why-its-not-important
Check out this calculator to see how much or how little a piece of equipment would add: http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-thd.htm
Use this calculator to check if an amplifier would result in audible noise for your headphones: https://www.headphones.com/pages/headphone-amplifier-noise-calculator
Not all distortion is equal (Julian Krause): https://youtu.be/DZ4IGAR7iio
References & Further reading on THD+N, distortion, and audibility:
D. Shorter, “The Influence of High Order Products on Nonlinear Distortion”, Electron. Eng. vol 22, pp.152-153, 1950
Vanderkooy & Krauel, “Another View of Distortion Perception”, JAES, 2012 https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=16631
Louis Fielder, “Dynamic-Range Issues in the Modern Digital Audio Environment”, JAES,1995 https://www.aes.org/e-lib/online/browse.cfm?elib=7948
Louis Fielder, “Perceptual Assessment of Headphone Distortion”, JAES, 2017, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=19238
Mikhail Pahomov & Yong Hyuk Na Sr., “Method for Objective Evaluation of Nonlinear Distortion”, JAES, 2015, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=17995
Alex Voishvillo, “Measurements and Perception of Nonlinear Distortion – Comparing Numbers and Sound Quality”, JAES, 2007, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=17995
Alex Voishvillo, “Assessment of Nonlinearity in Transducers and Sound Systems – From THD to Perceptual Models”, JAES, 2006, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=13744
Voishvillo, Terekhov, Czerwinski, & Alexandrov, “Graphing, Interpretation, and Comparison of Results of Loudspeaker Nonlinear Distortion Measurements”, JAES, 2004, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=12996
Lidia Lee & Earl Geddes, “Auditory Perception of Nonlinear Distortion”, JAES, 2003, http://www.gedlee.com/Papers/Distortion_AES_II.pdf , https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=12465
Phillip Minnick, “Nonlinear Distortion Measurement in Audio Amplifiers: The Perceptual Nonlinear Response”, JAES, 2012, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=16624
Temme, Brunet, & Qarabaqi, “Measurement of Harmonic Distortion Audibility Using a Simplified Psychoacoustic Model – Updated”, JAES, 2013, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=16885
Temme, Olive, Welti, & McMullin, “The Correlation between Distortion Audibility and Listener Preference in Headphones”, JAES, 2014, https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=17441
00:00 – Overview of SINAD
04:01 – Distortion
11:47 – Audible Threshold?
13:15 – Noise
15:07 – Conclusion – is there a ‘safe’ SINAD score?
Apple’s iPod Touch 4G – The Best Portable Media Player
This user does not have a valid Spin Rewriter subscription.
The Meade ETX-80BB Telescope: Bringing Earth and the Universe Beyond Closer To YouComparing USB Microphone: What to Look For
Before Buying a Digital Camera Read This
CD Clubs: Making Software Selection Easy
The iPad Stylus Review – How It Adds to the iPad Experience?
Laptops Vs iPad – Which Is Better?
Have Fun With iPad Applications
Is the Zoom H4N Price Too High? My Review
Is the Zoom H2 Recorder Right for You?