Dropping back and punting. Just the basics. Why is there this "push" to Class-D in the first place? What do you gain? In what way would they ever be sonically better than a good Class A or AB amp?
I love new technology as well as the next guy. But other than offering good "slam" in a powered subwoofer (and the limited frequency range needed in one) why is there this "push"?
Is someone going to tell me that say 5 years from now, you’ll be able to buy a $1000 Class-D amp that sounds BETTER than a $4000 Class AB amp or a $4000 tube amp?
I mean, where are we going with this? And why?
And no, it isn't about "saving the planet". The amount of electricity used by all audiophiles is paltry compared to that used by far more mundane tasks such as drying your hair in the morning with a blow dryer. Those things are 1500 watts - continuous.
Class D amplifiers. What's the future look like?
I have a number of amplifiers: Luxman C900U, Bryston 4BSST2, Audio Research VSI 60 Integrated, NAD C298 and some other less noteworthy units. As I swap them in and out of my main system, I've come to the conclusion my very modest NAD C298 is about all I really need. Granted if I had extremely hard to drive speakers, I might be better with the Bryston or Luxman, but driving my Harbeth 40.2 speakers, the NAD is just fine.
I thought a while ago that class D would quickly overtake amplifier design type mainly due to profit margin which I think would be much greater than A/B and tube. I'm not saying the other design styles would go away, just that D would be the most common style.
Clearly my prediction is not panning out, at least in the mid and high-end audio world and I'm wondering why? It seems companies such as Bryston, Luxman, McIntosh, Hegel and so many others are sticking by A/B. I'm no "golden ears" guy, but is the perceived sound issue(weather real or imaginary) still holding D back? Maybe my assumption of profit margin is not correct? Maybe the amplifier manufacturers are experimenting with D, but keeping tight lipped until release? Perhaps brand loyalists don't want change similar to what happened with "new coke". What else am I missing?
Showing 3 responses by moonwatcher
@soix thanks. I'm glad it is improving if this is the "future" of what sonics we will have. I'm 65 and likely won't have to worry about it, but I hope it will get better and better - at least as good as the best Class AB amps are, and if the transfer function can be attained that gives them a touch of "tubiness", then all the better. |
@atmasphere THANK YOU for that explanation. Now it finally makes sense. We are not "doing" Class-D "just to be doing it" for the fun of new technology - there is logic behind the "why" of doing it - which is to achieve lower distortions in the audible range, to make music sound more like music. That answers my question perfectly. I visited your website. Beautiful amps. Good luck going forward. |