Hifi Audio from High-Precision, Lofi Equipment

Every component of an audio system, no matter how well made it may be, will distort its input measurably and often audibly. Rather than pursue the inevitably losing battle of trying to perfect audio components, one can instead compensate for the distortion they cause. The compensations are made by a computer program which calculates the precise amplitude each sound sample needs to have to create waves which correspond precisely to the audio data. This means pre-correcting for distortions such as: transistor and speaker nonlinearities; frequency response; speaker inertia; and doppler effects.

There are several approaches to applying this concept for public consumption.
* Every audio system is profiled individually.
* Every model of audio system is profiled.
* Audio systems are designed, and adjusted as needed to match one of several standard profiles (for different mobilities, price ranges, headphones versus speakers and so on...).

Whichever approach is chosen, the sound is processed to precompensate for the known distortions expected from the particular system it is to be played through. One important thing to note, is that the sound has to be processed differently for each volume setting on a system, so one couldn't just distribute preprocessed audio unless the public could agree on a standard volume setting.
Processing could be simplified by having volume controlled with linear attenuators between the amplifier output and the speakers. This practice would allow the amplifier to be driven at a constant level regardless of the desired sound output, but the speakers would still have unique nonlinearities and doppler effects for each power level it is driven at.

Since audio systems would be expected to have their distortions corrected, their designs can focus more on higher gain, lower noise and higher energy efficiency, and relax somewhat about fidelity. Transistor preamp stages could be made as sensitive as possible without regard to distortion (less negative feedback), and thereby get the signal farther above the noise floor.

1/f noise could be greatly reduced by a circuit which rapidly alternates between:
(1) Disconnecting the signal to the preamp and sampling the current noise level.
(2) Reconnecting the signal to the preamp and subtracting the sampled noise level from the input.
This cycle would be repeated at perhaps around 1,000,000 times per second.

If systems are to match a standard profile, then their designers would need to incorporate means of adjusting every component very accurately to ensure sound processed for it would sound perfect when played through it. Electronic components, including transistors, would need to be adjusted at the factory (laser trimming, for example). Do-it-yourselfers could try improving their systems by such things as adjustments to speakers, such as cone mass, cone alignment, impedance and linearity.

For extreme audiophiles:
This technology could be used to remove the last remaining traces of distortion from their expensive, high-end sound systems. Profiles for individual sound systems could be made, and pre-profiled listening-room designs could be used to avoid the expense of a technician's visit.
They could also have themselves, their families and their friends acoustically profiled so they can get together in any number and combination without marring the sound quality as long as they sit in predesignated places and with predesignated postures.
Even the reverberations from a profiled listening room could be compensated for and effectively removed.
There would still be a so-called "sweet-spot" which would have the most perfect sound in the entire room.