I am reading this with great interest. To date, we have not heard a class D amplifier that competes in sound quality. We are open to hear something that comes close but not yet to our ears.
Happy Listening.
Class A or Class D solid-state amplifiers (modern designs)
Hey guys.
Class A is supposedly superior. Something to do with a conduction angle of 360 degrees...so the entire signal gets processed in one go without crossover distortion.
But in terms of sound quality (subjective enjoyment) is there a benefit to Class A? Can class D provide the same level of enjoyment?
The dealer I’m talking to says that really nice Class A amplifiers are designed for "reference quality" meaning completely true to the real life performance.
Let’s compare and contrast. Which one is technically better?
In other words, could you have equal technical performance and quality in a Class D amp?
- Jack.
Showing 6 responses by bigkidz
@spanev - his statement was to me that he has heard amps that compete - so since I cannot get a hold of his amps - I am asking him to provide me with his experience based upon his response to me.
I have. FWIW class D amps vary at least as much in sound as tube amps do.
Your posts offers some examples: Specifically, we are referring to amps like the Merrill Audio Element 116 Merrill Audio - Element 116 Power Amplifier Monoblocks the AGD Audio Gran Vivace AGD Gran Vivace Monoblock · AGD Productions the Nuprime Evolution One The NuPrime Evo One Mono Amplifiers - Review & First Listening Session - SONIC UNITY the Technics SE-R1 Technics SE-R1 Stereo Power Amplifier – AudioCubes.com the Theta Digital Prometheus to name a few. Take a listen when you get a chance an let us know what you think. Heard them all but the Theta Digital Prometheus. IMO they do not compare wo what we manufacturer. Our opinion may be different that other peoples but I am open to anyone bringing something to our listening room as we are always open to hear something. We are also looking for the best we can hear for our systems. Happy Listening. |
@spenav I have heard the amps you mentioned at length. I knew Tommy O'Brien personally and he came to many of our Audio Raves back in the day. He is a really nice gentleman and his products are excellent. That being said, those designs cannot produce the sound of a Class A tube amp we manufacturer. Again, everyone has what they want from their system. We offer several options out of many available. You don't need me to validate your system or any of your choices. If someone is happy with their system and sound, that is what this is all about, right?
So what companies would I say are my competition - for the Class A tube mono-blocks I would say that's a good question. I havenot heard that many that are point-to-point wired amplifiers using the best parts quality with customer made transformers and chokes, Audio Note non-magnetic resistors, V-Caps, copper plates, etc. I have heard most of the typical tube amps most of you are familiar with but not many Class A tube amplifiers. Lamm is a company that I would consider competition. For the hybrid power amplifiers I would say Aesthetix Audio would be. We have a fantastic music room in Northern New Jersey. We are always open to host and have people bring equipment over to hear how things sound. We are audio people and love to hear new things.
I am not trying to bash any manufacturer. We need many manufacturers in the business to deliver products at various price points. We modify and upgrade components weekly for people who what to improve the sound of their system. We are happy to help. Happy Listening.
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Sorry Ralph while I am familiar with your work, I have no first hand experience. But you are one of the few who manufacturers quality from what I can see. I remember also using Caddock resistors back in the day also. spenav - while we have been asked to have our components reviewed many times, we have not had our components reviewed. I understand that your mom is your greatest fan also. While we have our opinions on the comparisons, most of my comments regarding the sound of our components comes from people who bring their equipment over to hear with the speakers in our listening room, Sonus Farber, Horning, Vandersteen, Alon, Dynauido, Klipsch, Verity, Rogers, ProAc, etc. They come to our listening room to hear the differences. We also provide upgrade service and repair service. For example, recently and highly regarded DAC was brought in and after hearing the differences, we were asked to upgrade that DAC. Same goes for many other components. That allows us to also hear things and we actually learn more of what can be accomplished. Again, we are not there to pound our chests but to help others improve their systems. It is very enjoyable to us. Regarding reviewing our products, we barely can keep up with the work we have now. Hand made products take time to manufacturer. It is a labor of love for us. I hope that I have explained ourselves so that everyone understands that we are in this together and not for us to think we are better than anyone in anyway. I realized a long time ago, that what we do is really for us first. We are always learning and improving. We are always open to hearing new things
Anyone who is in the NYC area, contact us, we are more than happy to host a visit.
Happy Listening.
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