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 2 responses by mitch2

I can echo what is said above by Mapman and Guido as relates to my Ncore NC1200 amps by Acoustic Imagery. Listening at low levels now as it is getting late in the EST zone.
I think the audio SMPS has finally developed to a point where it is has a low enough noise floor & can handle large currents in a compact size.
The Acoustic Imagery Atsahs use the Hypex/Ncore SMPS 1200 switch mode power supply and in my system they sound at least as good as similar powered, high quality solid state, Class A and Class A/B amps I have owned. They are dead nuts quiet and I notice absolutely no listener fatigue. When I listen, I sometimes wonder why some are trying to use linear supplies with the NC1200 amp module, when it sounds this good with the stock SMPS.