2. amps-preamps
  3. 186622-124012

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?

 

128x12861falcon

Showing 1 response by tvrgeek

tvrgeek
299 posts
 

Be it class D or similar switching technology, it is the future.  Linear amps of all kinds will become a niche market. The only good thing about that is the great progress that has been made in both quality of the amps, and in understanding what kinds of DSP can be used to provide the euphonic distortions some prefer.  First generation ICE modules were screamingly horrible. Newest Purify very clean. Not to my liking but I can accept the progress. 

Speaking of Carver. I remember when someone said he could not make a SS amp sound like a tube, so to prove it, he made a very good tube amp, and then tuned a SS to be very close.  Not as close as some wanted, but he did make a marvelous tube amp. Silver Seven if I remember. Manley showed us how changing the grid resistor changes the tube sound to be almost SS.  The relevant point is that it is the transfer function, not how you get it. 

 

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