• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Are Class D Amps scaring the hell out of the BIG Boys ?

Frank Sol

Frank Sol

Lunatic Member
Ok... A little tongue in cheek & that I'm presently using a Class D amp in my main system

However :D

Have you noticed how the top end mags are warming-up to the class D amps? Writing good reviews and have stop complaining about being able to 'hear' switching or not switching of class D amps

It has to be a shock to the guys making 100lb+ amps = $10K+ when a 10lb $500 amp is in the same ballpark SQ wise
 
Register to hide this ad
Class D is good for subwoofers since the design is best for mass power. But in terms of resolution, the jury still seems to favour Class A and tube designs. It seems you cannot get a free lunch. Mark Levinson has fronted the Class D design with its top model, but I don't see Vladimir Lamm or other SET designers packing it up soon. There will be variety out there, but frankly until Class D is widely adopted I will not be buying. Frankly, I find it "comforting" in a 100lb amp knowing the transformer makes most of the weight, and thus, the power. No trickery there.
 
blackfly said:
Mark Levinson has fronted the Class D design with its top model
Click to expand...

and from what I've read... have NOT received good reviews. so is an exception to my OP :D

BTW-- I bought a Krell KSA150 for a song/dance in February... It is being overhauled. It will be overkill but I can hardly wait to compare it to my class D amp
 
Frank, this is becoming an old chestnut, and I know many here will groan when I quote Srajan - in addition to his other crimes, he has predicted that 'Class D will come of age !' for at least 3 years by my count.

That said, he seems quite serious in this review of the W4S mPRE/mAMP combo:

http://www.sixmoons.com/audioreviews/wyred8/4.html

My personal crystal ball predicts that 2013 will finally see class D get its full due as various publications write up Bruno Putzeys' Mola-Mola NCore 1200 monos. Well north of $10.000/pr they compete squarely and without conditions against the very best of traditional topologies priced to match. Having reviewed the Atsah equivalents, I'm certain. Marja & Henk on our staff also emailed identical findings about a pair of OEM NC1200 samples. Add Devialet's D-Premier and Wadia's new Intuition 01 and for this breed the fullness of time has finally come.

I guess we will know by December :D
 
Last edited:
I don't have much exposure to Class D amps, but did spend some time listening to what is supposedly a highly regarded 300 w/ch unit in a shop awhile back. My first impression was actually very good, but after awhile it started to grate on me without my quite being able to put my finger on what that was. Please note that I did not know it was Class D until after I made a comment about this. The proprietor of the shop said that he had felt exactly the same way about it. Maybe there is "free lunch", but maybe not. I'd have to hear a few more well-regarded examples of the ilk to have an informed opinion.
 
fiddlefye said:
I don't have much exposure to Class D amps, but did spend some time listening to what is supposedly a highly regarded 300 w/ch unit in a shop awhile back. My first impression was actually very good, but after awhile it started to grate on me without my quite being able to put my finger on what that was. Please note that I did not know it was Class D until after I made a comment about this. The proprietor of the shop said that he had felt exactly the same way about it. Maybe there is "free lunch", but maybe not. I'd have to hear a few more well-regarded examples of the ilk to have an informed opinion.
Click to expand...

This mirrors my experience with Class D amps as well. I do not see one replacing my DIY tube amps or the Pass Labs INT-150 anytime soon.
 
If Class D is better for subs and Class is A is better for high frequencies then why is there no amp that features both a Class D and a Class A amp inside one case?
 
I've been using class D amps (Bel Canto, Channel Islands) in the context of a pretty high-end system for several years now, and they've beaten Hafler, Forte, and Bryston (recent version) amps in this setup. Not all Class D amps are created equal, of course, but some of them are serious contenders.
 
My only complaint with Class D amps is that there aren't any vintage ones yet.

On a more serious note, I can understand why a person would tend to trust a heavy, hot, expensive, 'serious' amp over a lightweight, cheap, alternative.

I'm not poking fun at anyone; I get it. I like big old heavy hot iron also.

However, if one is truly interested in the sound and the sound only, one must go where it leads. Even if that is down the path of the less-expensive, less esoteric.

However, I trust that eventually, the manufacturers of the aforesaid esoteric kit will figure out ways to tart up the Class D design to the extent that it is sufficiently heavy, hot, expensive, and gold-plated to satisfy the ears of the discerning listener.
 
Frank Sol said:
In general...

It is a mistake to equate class D amps to 'Digital'
Click to expand...

And you are absolutely correct - 'D' was merely the next available designation and the 'digital' tag came along later. My mistake and I will edit the earleir post - apologies to all concerned.

Edit : someone on Head-Fi claimed that Class D may have big pluses for speaker use, but was not a good design for a headphone amp : I dont have the tech chops to argue that, but W4S/Bel Canto and Peachtree all make a point of marketing the headphone amps in their integtrated speakers amps. No biggie to take a pair of phones to an audition.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom