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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
havocman
350 posts
 
If you think class d is better than class a or class a b you better get your ears checked LOL they've gotten a lot better but they're still not as good.
hoosierinohio
162 posts
 
When someone tells me that both Nelson Pass and Steve Deckert are now designing exclusively in Class D, I will consider more.  Until then I have 2 class D's and that is more than enough.  Love the operating temperature of class D.  Oh yea, I also love the operating temperature. 
nseymour
3 posts
 
I sold my Pioneer 70 D class amp. And recently listened Marantz Reference Series PM-10. All Class D amps have power and clean sound but lack of richness and soundstage.
mglik OP
908 posts
 
I got my AGD class Ds just in time for 116 degrees here in Portland!
FWIW, these Class Ds are different from others.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,794 posts
 
@timlub 
You never know, maybe Ralph @atmasphere  will design a switching tube amplifier. Ha

We've already done that- been working on it for the last 4 years. We're in Beta production right now.

If you think class d is better than class a or class a b you better get your ears checked LOL they've gotten a lot better but they're still not as good.
Instead of checking your ears, it might be more fruitful to check a different class D amp and see if you still say that. Class D, like tube amps or traditional A or A/B amps, are all over the map in terms of sound. Some manufacturers have sorted out what works and care about it, and others have not or don't care- same as its always been...

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