How do you feel about Class D amplification?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by chessman

I like Class D for HT, but not serious two channel listening.

Randy.......I have been a dyed in the wool Class A and Class AB fan from the beginning of my audio love affair. I still am, but it doesn't mean I can't be convinced that Class D might finally be coming into its own with respect to challenging audio performance limits of well regarded Class A and Class AB high-end audio components. When we see new Class D full range amplifiers arriving from the likes of TAD, Esoteric, Gato Audio, Audio Research, Tac T, Bang & Olufsen, and other prestigious and well respected audio manufacturers, it may just be time to begin paying closer attention to what is being offered and how these new audio components compare to what has traditionally attracted our attention thus far.

[chessman]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Randy.......I have been a dyed in the wool Class A and Class AB fan from the beginning of my audio love affair. I still am, but it doesn't mean I can't be convinced that Class D might finally be coming into its own with respect to challenging audio performance limits of well regarded Class A and Class AB high-end audio components. When we see new Class D full range amplifiers arriving from the likes of TAD, Esoteric, Gato Audio, Audio Research, Tac T, Bang & Olufsen, and other prestigious and well respected audio manufacturers, it may just be time to begin paying closer attention to what is being offered and how these new audio components compare to what has traditionally attracted our attention thus far.

Dan, don't get me wrong - I am willing to be convinced, in fact my bet is that W4S comes through with something surprising. I was only saying that, to date, digital amps have sounded a bit dry and a bit brittle to me. Fantastic transient response, unconvincing timbre. Of course, that is just my two cents.

[jdandy]

Randy.......I understand, and your comments tend to support the majority concensus to this date. I have had my curiosity raised by the entrance of the bigger players onto the Class D field. It will be interesting to see what the future holds. I wouldn't mind hearing those mono Class D amps Brian assembled.

[Pider]

It would be cool to do some blind testing to remove brand amp type bias most of us have, acknowledged or not.

[chessman]

I bet some true double blind testing would be a revelation to some of us. But I want to warn you, I participated in a subwoofer shoot out once in a double blind test and it was tedious beyond belief.

[CGabriel]

I have used the Audio Research DS450 during the past couple of years with several speaker systems including the Wilson Sasha, KEF Blade and Magneplanar 20.7. It has performed well with each speaker and has a linear and neutral presentation. I like the fact that it sounds good even when first turned on - cold. I preferred it to the tube based 210's because the bass control was superior. It can sound very slightly sterile but when used with a good power conditioner (high frequency noise reduction) it competes way above its weight class. I have also owned a Roland and Bel Canto digital amp that performed well and could live with either. In my opinion, all of the digital amps benefit from noise reduction on the power input more than a linear amp.

All that said, a reference grade class A amp is still king if you are looking for audio performance over all else. But there is a price to paid in heat generation, cost and reliability. Heat always limits service life. I also like the 450 over a tube amp because it tolerates being turned on and off and stabilizes more quickly. Even if a tube amp is superior in tonality or high frequency delicacy, that is mitigated by the fact that the tubes age and change character. In my opinion the digital amps already compete with linear and tube designs. Its just that each is slightly (and I emphasize slight) superior in different areas. It will come down to how you listen and what personal preferences you have, I believe. Additionally, when you consider cost in the equation, there is nothing that I have heard at the 450's price point (linear or tube) that is in any substantive way superior.

I certainly wouldn't discount an audition with an amp simply because it is "digital".

cg

[chessman]

[Pider]

+1

[enit]

They certainly do great for subwoofers.

Have not heard a Class D amp that's as good as a well done Class A & Class A/B.

MLs Class D Switching is on top of my mind.
Followed by the ICEamps in Bel Cantos.

And for the money outlay on the ML's, it takes a great sales person to sell that vs what's out there. And it runs hot too.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[Ritmo]

Originally Posted by CGabriel

I have used the Audio Research DS450 during the past couple of years with several speaker systems including the Wilson Sasha, KEF Blade and Magneplanar 20.7. It has performed well with each speaker and has a linear and neutral presentation. I like the fact that it sounds good even when first turned on - cold. I preferred it to the tube based 210's because the bass control was superior. It can sound very slightly sterile but when used with a good power conditioner (high frequency noise reduction) it competes way above its weight class. I have also owned a Roland and Bel Canto digital amp that performed well and could live with either. In my opinion, all of the digital amps benefit from noise reduction on the power input more than a linear amp.

All that said, a reference grade class A amp is still king if you are looking for audio performance over all else. But there is a price to paid in heat generation, cost and reliability. Heat always limits service life. I also like the 450 over a tube amp because it tolerates being turned on and off and stabilizes more quickly. Even if a tube amp is superior in tonality or high frequency delicacy, that is mitigated by the fact that the tubes age and change character. In my opinion the digital amps already compete with linear and tube designs. Its just that each is slightly (and I emphasize slight) superior in different areas. It will come down to how you listen and what personal preferences you have, I believe. Additionally, when you consider cost in the equation, there is nothing that I have heard at the 450's price point (linear or tube) that is in any substantive way superior.

I certainly wouldn't discount an audition with an amp simply because it is "digital".

cg

+1...