[Elecraft] Use of external speakers/amp

[Edward Dickinson, III]

Hi Rick,

The K3 is capable of sounding smooth and mellow while listening to SSB.  I
run my sound through my computer and into an inexpensive, but decent
sounding surround sound receiver...5.1 and decent Hi-Fi speakers.  Only 2
channels apply...I rarely turn on the subwoofer and never for amateur radio.

My biggest problem has been an exceptional amount of line noise this summer.
I even took the K3 off the sound system and into a simple external speaker.
I've had a heck of a time trying to balance S9+ line noise against most
signals.

In good conditions, the system can sound marvelous.  As well, the
PowerSDR-IF software, via the LP-Pan and also through the computer can sound
exceptional.  That method actually uses a separate sound card and the
'onboard soundcard.'

Given good receiving conditions, both the K3 and the LP-Pan/PowerSDR-IF
'receiver' can produce exceptional sound, rich and full through my Hi-Fi
system.

Now...about that country acreage...


73,
Dick - KA5KKT
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Over on qth.com in the forums area (the "Talk" sub-forum) is a discussion
called "A sad thing happened 
on the way to a more perfect receiver."  Some interesting topics came up in
the discussion, such 
as 
- Are DSP based receivers fatiguing to listen to for long periods of time?
- The benefits of using external audio amps and speakers.

In connection with the second topic, I wonder what other K3 owners might
have done.
Have you gained any improvement by using external speakers, PC-type speakers
with audio 
amps built in, or even something like a stereo amp with hi fi speakers?

I have been experimenting with the receiver equalization, using an external
Collins 312B4 speaker
but still don't have the audio to the way I want it, and I wonder if the
internal audio amp might
be pushed to its limits in normal operation?  When I say it's not the way I
want it, that is not
something I can quantify, at all!  I just haven't been able to make SSB
sound smooth and mellow
like I want.  I won't go so far as to say it is fatiguing.  K3 has the stock
ssb filter.

Rick  K2XT
K3 #3814