Class D is just Dandy!


I thought it was time we had a pro- Class D thread. There's plenty of threads about comparisons, or detractors of Class D.

That's fine, you don't have to like Class D amps, and if you don't please go participate on one of those threads.

For those of us who are very happy and excited about having musical, capable amps that we can afford to keep on 24/7 and don't require large spaces to put them in, this thread is for you.

Please share your experiences with class D amps!
erik_squires

Showing 4 responses by seanheis1

Linear amplifier distortion can be reduced by feedback, something digital amps may use in buckets.
Using feedback to reduce distortion isn't a free lunch though, or is it? 
This part was eye opening. 

S&V: Generally speaking, what are the key benefits of Class D versus the traditional Class AB and Class A designs that have long been favored by audiophiles?
BP: Efficiency and therefore the ability to construct amps that are powerful for their size. Only that. Modern Class D amps, in particular mine—ahem—sound good not because they’re Class D, but in spite of it. I can’t repeat that often enough. Left to its own devices, a switching power stage tries to do just about anything except amplify audio. You choose Class D to save energy but it’s all elbow grease after that. People don’t realize how much more challenging Class D is compared to Class AB. It’s truly an order of magnitude.
Read more at https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bruno-putzeys-head-class-d#S70SckY6kyOPIC2d.99

Perhaps the ideas of Bruno Putzey hold some weight, as without his inventions and Hypex Ncore product, Class D amps might not yet have been in hifi amps. Here are his thoughts on Class D vs A and AB in an interview with Sound & Vision last year. 

S&V: Generally speaking, what are the key benefits of Class D versus the traditional Class AB and Class A designs that have long been favored by audiophiles?

BP: Efficiency and therefore the ability to construct amps that are powerful for their size. Only that. Modern Class D amps, in particular mine—ahem—sound good not because they’re Class D, but in spite of it. I can’t repeat that often enough. Left to its own devices, a switching power stage tries to do just about anything except amplify audio. You choose Class D to save energy but it’s all elbow grease after that. People don’t realize how much more challenging Class D is compared to Class AB. It’s truly an order of magnitude.


Read more at https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bruno-putzeys-head-class-d#Rp4w1mKbWublPse8.99