Channel Separation / Crosstalk
Channel separation measures how strongly a signal in one channel is kept out of another, in decibels.
A larger positive separation figure means less leakage. Crosstalk may instead be stated as a negative level; compare the sign convention and frequency before comparing numbers.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Preamp
Here channel separation describes leakage between the left and right channels of the analogue line stage. It helps characterize how independently the channels carry their signals.
Keep phono-stage or DAC crosstalk separate from the line-stage result. Compare the same conditions and preserve any stated bound. Separation is different from channel balance, which describes unequal wanted-signal levels.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Tuner
For a tuner, stereo separation describes leakage between the recovered left and right audio channels. Reception strength, broadcast mode and test frequency can affect it.
Compare the same reception and test conditions. Separation can change in weak-signal stereo operation; a strong-signal figure does not describe every station or listening location.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Power Amp
Here channel separation describes leakage between the left and right channels of the power amplifier channels. It helps characterize how independently the channels carry their signals.
Retain output level, load and test frequency. Compare the same conditions and preserve any stated bound. Separation is different from channel balance, which describes unequal wanted-signal levels.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Reel-to-Reel
For a reel-to-reel deck, separation describes leakage between recorded or reproduced channels. Track format, head alignment and frequency influence the result.
Compare the same track format and record/playback measurement basis. Keep adjacent-track or reverse-track crosstalk distinct if specified; these are not automatically the same stereo-channel test.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Step-Up Transformer (SUT)
Here channel separation describes leakage between the left and right channels of the transformer’s left and right signal paths. It helps characterize how independently the channels carry their signals.
Retain test frequency, source impedance and loading. Compare the same conditions and preserve any stated bound. Separation is different from channel balance, which describes unequal wanted-signal levels.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Cartridge
For a cartridge, separation describes how much a signal recorded for one channel appears in the other. Test frequency, record and cartridge alignment influence the measurement.
Compare the same stated frequency and test basis. This is not channel balance, and a single-frequency value does not describe separation across the entire audio band.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — DAC
Here channel separation describes leakage between the left and right channels of the DAC’s analogue line outputs. It helps characterize how independently the channels carry their signals.
Keep headphone-output and DAC-chip figures separate from the finished line-output result. Compare the same conditions and preserve any stated bound. Separation is different from channel balance, which describes unequal wanted-signal levels.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Headphone Amp
Here channel separation describes leakage between the left and right channels of the headphone amplifier outputs. It helps characterize how independently the channels carry their signals.
Retain test frequency, load and balanced or single-ended output mode. Compare the same conditions and preserve any stated bound. Separation is different from channel balance, which describes unequal wanted-signal levels.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — Tape Deck
For a cassette deck, separation describes unwanted leakage between channels in the specified tape path. Head alignment, test frequency and tape conditions affect it.
Distinguish playback-only from record/playback results and preserve the stated conditions. Stereo separation and crosstalk from tracks on the opposite side of the tape are different measurements.
Channel Separation / Crosstalk — MC Head Amp
Here channel separation describes leakage between the left and right channels of the cartridge-level gain stage. It helps characterize how independently the channels carry their signals.
Retain gain, test frequency and electrical loading. Compare the same conditions and preserve any stated bound. Separation is different from channel balance, which describes unequal wanted-signal levels.