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.

jackhifiguy

Showing 1 response by hifi59

“LSA Voyager GAN 350 wpc class D is a kick ass amplifier.  I have had multiple highly regarded class A amps and tube amps.  Not yet heard other GAN class D amps.”

Respectfully, I owned the LSA Gan 350 and put it in my professionally calibrated audio system. My Parasound Halo A23+ amp wiped the floor with it. The Gan350 did have a smooth grainless top end but it ended there. It did not “project” music like the Parasound did. The Gan amp was boring. Wasn’t engaging I. Comparison. Bass was more muddy in comparison. Mids were more recessed and top end, while smooth and grainless,  was just boring and did not engage. Lacked bite. It also has more hiss when I cranked the volume with no source playing. I tried to like it but it wasn’t to be. The Parasound remains in the system.