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Class A amps or Class D??: Which sounds better??

Amplifier performance and synergy depends on the other components, and cables in a system. I have read alot about the advantages of Class A.amps Though an older amp design, do class A amps necessarily sound better than Class D digital amps like Nu-Force, Bel Canto, and Wyred4Sound?? These class D amps supposedly run more efficiently, with less heat and noise and are smaller in size.

I have a friend who has a Musical Fidelity A3CR power amp and a Bel canto pre-amp, and a pair of Spendor floorstanders. The MF amp is at least 10 years old, and no longer made. I have listened to the amp in his system, and it does sound very good. Most noteably is its across the board smoothness. However, I think its performance is system dependent, and might be a liability in other systems. Would like to hear comments and opinions about these two amp "designs", and if one sounds better than the other, OR JUST DIFFERENT.

BTW, I am not sure that owning a 10 year old amp like the MF A3CR is a good idea, despite its class A rating, and a few positive consumer reviews I have seen. Thank you
sunnyjim

Showing 6 responses by wolf_garcia

wolf_garcia
6,783 posts
 
I took Corey's class at Yale...he was brilliant, albeit somewhat smelly.
wolf_garcia
6,783 posts
 
Blah blah, and, of course, blah. Isn't this question (at least the subjective qualitative opinions part) like asking, "What's better...6 cylinder cars or 8 cylinder cars?" If the only thing defining an amp is its operating class, the world is too simple and I want off.
wolf_garcia
6,783 posts
 
The new Rogue Medusa hybrid thing sounds pretty damn good...class D plus a tube or two in there.
wolf_garcia
6,783 posts
 
I think tubes are more fun than any newfangled technology...do the Class D modules glow and burn your fingers when you check the bias? No. I rest my case.
wolf_garcia
6,783 posts
 
I think a bottom line in this discussion is the "bottom line." From what I've seen, Class D modules can be VERY inexpensive relative to what they potentially can offer, and, weirdly, some of the manufacturers are trying to sell things and make a profit. A little tweaking here and there with added tubes or Serious High End Brand Name, and "open the vault Jeeves...here comes da cash!"
wolf_garcia
6,783 posts
 
As I recently posted elsewhere, speculation about the sound of something that the speculator hasn't ACTUALLY heard is merely speculative speculating and those opinions are worthless as information except to the speculator, who may have found some comfort from having merely vented a thought, so there's that.
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