Interesting, if not mandatory reading for Newbies

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/ampins/pseudo/subjectv.htm

(I might add that the writer, D R G Self, was chief design engineer for Soundcraft, a top British professional studio equipment manufacturer. The SABC is fitted throughout with Soundcraft, as are other large broadcasting instances. He holds a Master's degree in both electronic engineering and psychology - formidable qualifications towards expertise in electronics and understanding of human hearing nature. He has published two definitive books on the design of audio equipment.)

THis could well become a sticky. I will leave that to moderators to determine.