Sound with a high emphasis on detail, is achieved through a boosting of the high frequencies.

Music that has been recorded onto an analog medium like vinyl or tape. The recording on the medium, however, can have small imperfections that can cause audio artifacts in the playback.

A method of interconnecting audio equipment using impedance-balanced lines. Balanced connections use three-conductor connectors, usually an XLR or TRS jacks (a plus, a minus, and a ground). Using balanced audio can also reduce noise (especially) if using a long cable. 4-pin XLR, TRRS, and Pentaconn connections are the most commonly used balanced connectors for headphones. Standard XLR and TRS are balanced but you would typically need two of them for a pair of headphones (i.e. one TRS cable for the left ear cup and another for the right; the same would apply with 3-pin XLR connectors).

The lower end frequency of human hearing. Bass can be measured in quantity (heaviness) and quality (clarity). Other bass descriptors are “muddy” and “boomy.”

Refers to how much data is being stored per second (digital audio)

Refers to how much data is recorded per sample (digital audio). The more information (higher sample/bit rates and depth) the better quality and larger the file size, generally speaking.

A lack of definition and clarity in the mid-bass range. Ovrly-accentuated bass makes the signature sound heavy and poorly tuned. Bloat is commonly associated with dark, or overly warm, sound signatures.

A boost in the upper frequencies or upper-mid range. Brightness is a feature enjoyed by many but walks a thin line to becoming unpleasant due to a potential of treble peaking.

Burning in is the process of running a tube before it’s actually used properly. Any potential contaminants on the surface of the internal tube are removed during the burn-in phase. JJ tubes do come pre-burnt in, as do many other brands, but they should improve within the first hundered hours of using the tube.

Macro details in sound. You hear every sound distinctly

The effect of a component on the music signal. The opposite of “neutral.” Various aspects can affect the tone, responsiveness, or frequency response of the music.

Any electronic piece of an audio system. For example a CD player is a component that connects to the the Intergrated or Preamplifier

Poor clarity is caused by overlapping sounds. Congested sound signatures lack detail and clarity, making it hard to hear separate instruments and may also be called muddy or muffled.

Digital to Analog Converter – A device that converts digital data into an analog signal. Today, most audio is stored as digital data. So before being able to be heard through speakers, the DACs job is to convert this data into an analog signal which is then amplified to a speaker or headphone output. DACs are found in most of today’s electronics, but standalone or external DACs are usually far more superior than their internal factory counterparts.

A measure of the magnitude of sound, or more simply, how loud something is.

Brings about a change in the shape of the audio waveform, meaning the output is different from the input. Distortion in tube amplifiers is a good thing. Distortion in speakers is a very bad thing. There are two different types of distortion that are often confused.

Direct Stream Digital – A trademark used by Sony and Philips for their system of digitally recreating audible signals for the Super Audio CD (SACD). The DSD coding system differs from that of its competitor: PCM. A DSD recorder uses delta-sigma modulation.

Digital Signal Processing – As audio signals may be represented in either digital or analog format, processing may occur in either domain. Analog processors operate directly on the electrical signal, while digital processors operate mathematically on the digital representation of that signal. A digital representation expresses the audio waveform as a sequence of symbols, usually binary numbers. This permits signal processing using digital circuits such as digital signal processors, microprocessors, and general-purpose computers.

Short for equalization. Using software or hardware to adjust the relative volume of frequencies in audio.

A measurement of how accurately a component reproduces audio frequencies listed as a variance within a set range. Frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz ±0.5 will increase or decrease a signal within that range by up to 0.5 decibels. The ideal frequency response is flat (or closest to zero), meaning the output is identical to the input.

The factor by which the audio signal is increased by an amplifier. Normally expressed in dB, the signal is either increased or decreased by volts in/volts out.

The left-to-right localization of sound. The ability to locate instruments on an imaginary soundstage.

An amplifier that also has volume control and selectable inputs for separate components like a CD player. Just add speakers and a component you can rock.

Any RCA or XLR cable with analog for Right and Left stereo audio channels which are used to connect audio components.

A loss of a sample or block of samples in a bitstream during playback in a digital device introduces noise. It can be caused by a number of factors including sync/word clock error or even buffer issues with the interface. Regardless, it happens with all digital devices and introduces noise, so that is why it’s important to have more data or higher quality recordings for playback to minimize jitter.

An unclear presentation of the sound. The opposite of clean or clear.

A sound that has no coloration. It’s the frequency range without any emphasis on high or lows. Black Ice Amplifiers are very neutral by design.

Unit of measurement for electrical resistance or impedance.

Operational Amplifier – A high-gain electronic voltage amplifier with a differential input and usually single-ended output. By doing this, an operational amplifier produces an output potential that is typically hundreds of thousands of times larger than the potential difference between its input terminals. The popularity of the operational amp as a building block in analog circuits is due to its versatility.

The amplifier only no inputs for sources. It only has an input for the signal from the preamplifier and the speakers. You will need a preamplifier, speakers, and a component to complete the system. The disadvantage is more expense and room needed for the stack. The advantage is cleaner and more powerful sound and the ability to use different preamplifiers which gives maximum flexibility.

The preamplifier has multiple selectable inputs for separate components and volume control, but no speak outputs or internal amplification. You need a power amplifier to connect it to speakers. The main advantage is cleaner sound and addition features when compared to an integrated amplifier.

A type of coaxial connector used for unbalanced analog connections. The center pin is used for the signal and the outer sleeve is connected to the ground.

The amount of sound output is measured in decibels (dB). Sensitivity measures how loud a speaker is at a set power level at a standard distance usually 1 meter. I.E. 89dB at 1m. Sensitivity may also be represented as Efficiency or Sound Pressure Level (SPL).

The high unpleasant peaks that are usually unpleasant to the ear if too prevalent.

A description of the 3D sound space that a driver makes. A wide soundstage allows a listener to discern different positions for various sounds, lending a hand in making the sound more realistic. The bigger the soundstage, the better.

The interaction or cooperation of two or more audio components in an audio system, which, when combined produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Example: the synergy between a DAC and a headphone amp.

Stands for Total Harmonic Distortion. A measurement of the degree to which a piece of equipment distorts the signal.

Described as clarity in the sound presentation; being able to distinguish details and qualities.

The range above midrange, where higher-pitched notes are located. Not enough? Your music will lack clarity. Too much? You'll experience listening fatigue.

Vacuum tubes are used for amplification. Popular due to their pleasant harmonics and coloration of the music. Tube amplifiers use tubes in a section of the design for either amplification or power rectification instead of a Solid State circuit.

The Turntable(Record Player) today is the device used to playback the record. The tonearm holds the pickup cartridge over the groove, as a pivoted lever with a counterbalance to maintain tracking pressure.

A lack of full clarity due to noise or loss of detail from limited transparency.

A quality of sound defined by fullness, engaging vocals, bumped mid-bass, and a clear midrange. Warm sound is often described as "cozy" or "pleasant"; excessive warmth may be described as "laid back" or "lush.

Voltage times current. An expression of the rate of energy usage. Sometimes noted with R.M.S. meaning Root Mean Square.

A connector commonly used in professional audio, typically with a 3- or 4-pin configuration used primarily in audio for balanced connections. With 3-pin plugs and sockets, one pin carried the in-phase signal, another the out-of-phase, and the third pin is the ground. On headphones there is no ground; the 4-pin XLR, when used on headphones, runs L+ L- R+ R-.