RIAA accuracy
RIAA accuracy measures how far a phono stage’s response departs from the intended RIAA playback curve. It is expressed in decibels (dB).
The playback curve reverses the changes in frequency balance applied during recording. Its shape determines how much the phono stage boosts or reduces different frequencies.
In a phono preamp
A ± tolerance gives the allowed deviation above or below the target curve over a stated frequency band. A smaller deviation means closer tracking only when the frequency bands and measurement conditions are comparable. If the band is missing, you cannot make that comparison fairly.
A bare frequency range gives no accuracy tolerance. RIAA accuracy also tells you nothing by itself about noise or distortion, and it is not an overall sound-quality score.
Sources
- RIAA accuracy, noise and distortion specifications (p. 4) — Pro-Ject Audio Systems
Sources
- RIAA playback and deviation (pp. 20–23) — Texas Instruments