Class D amps seem poised to take over. Then what?


I am certainly biased by my lifetime final amp being a Class D. But I know that after 30+ years of development, Class D seems to be on a high plain. I know there are now many, many companies focusing on Class D and, maybe, a good handful already as good as it gets. My Class D amp is as smooth and beautifully musical as a great tube amp and as punchy and detailed as a great SS amp. I am satisfied and done with my search. A class D amp has effectively taken me off the amp merry-go-round. It’s about time after 50 years. And, for me, this Class D is a milestone. Will all other classes of amps fade away?
mglik

Showing 1 response by barjohn

Modern Class D amps like those from Hypex or ICEpower (used in many high end brands) are simply excellent performers, musical ruler flat frequency response, SN numbers that other amps can only dream of achieving and they are respectful of power use and efficiency.

Can you hear any difference?  Maybe, some people prefer an amp that is not ruler flat in response but instead tilted up or down to compensate for problems elsewhere in the chain.  Speaker too bright get an amp that is warmer and rolls off on the top.

My view is that you start with the component that has specifications that are excellent, then you pick your input source and speakers to be as balanced as your amp.  Of course all of this assumes you value fidelity to the source.  If your value is instead, pleasing to my ears, you might select components that intentionally add or subtract from the original and do not produce a true high fidelity sound but instead produce a sound that pleases you.

Different goals and as the saying goes: "You pays your money and you takes your chances."