[Elecraft] K3 RX Audio

[Wayne Burdick]

Trevor Dunne wrote:

> I am allmost ready to order my K3 but I keep reading about people that are unhappy with the RX audio,
> 
> Is this still a problem ….


Hi Trevor,

No, it is not still a problem.

When the K3 first shipped, it had a few issues affecting audio that have all since been corrected. First, we added a balanced audio low-pass filter to the DSP board to remove sampling artifacts above 8 kHz that some operators could hear. Next, we made two rounds of firmware changes to improve in-band audio IMD. These changes included new AGC algorithms and a bug fix that corrected AGC attack/decay linearity. 

The K3's speaker amplifier is a type-AB linear device that can put out considerable power into a pair of 4-ohm speakers. While it's true that amplifiers in this class can have some low-level IMD products in the -60 to -80 dB range, I personally cannot hear them, and I have excellent hearing. The headphone amplifier is fully class A and will be even cleaner.

What we hear from most K3 owners is how much they enjoy the full-stereo output of the radio, which applies to both speakers and headphones. We provide audio effects unique to the K3, including simulated stereo and left/right phase inversion (AFX MD menu entry), and full control over main/sub RX audio panning (L-MIX-R menu entry). These features can reduce fatigue and create a much richer audio experience.

There is a small statistical probability that I'm biassed, so seek other opinions as well :)

73,
Wayne
N6KR