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Class D at low volume

Hi,

How do class D amps behave at low volume levels?  My question is general rather than related to a particular amp.  I know there are exceptions, but as a rule, SET’s and class A SS excel at low volume.  What about class D?  Is low volume performance of class D predetermined, all else being equal? Do class D amps have a comfort zone?  Do they distort more at low volume or is it uniform throughout?  For the purpose of this question I am only referring to analog input amps and not the ones that take in PCM (e.g. NAD M2).

The second part of my question is as follows.  I’m interested in some higher end commercial class D amps from the likes of lab.gruppen, powersoft, mc2, XTA, etc. due to their network-ability as in, I can control them, DSP them, and stream digital, all via RJ45, at the same time dispensing with all the extra boxes and cables.  But, they are all of very high power from 100‘s to 1000‘s of watts.  Does this mean that in a domestic setting at low volume they operate much closer to their noise floor or is this different with class D?

Thanks
serge_s

Showing 1 response by guidocorona

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
I can report that with class D amps that I have loved, Rowland M925 and M312, Merrill Veritas, and Bel Canto REF1000M, low volume playing is as good as medium and high volume.... Clean, effortless, musical... Just like any good amp of any other topology.

Would this behavior apply to all class D amps? Who knows.... The induction step is one dangerous thing in logic.

G.
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