Classe' would top my list.
Class D Technology
So I get the obvious strengths of Class D. Efficiency, power output & running cool which allows for small form factors. I also understand the weaknesses somewhat. 1. Non-linear & lots of distortion that needs to be cleaned up with an output filter.
So my question is, if it weren't for efficiency & power, would there be any reason to own a Class D amp? Do they beat Class A in any other categories that count for sound quality?
So my question is, if it weren't for efficiency & power, would there be any reason to own a Class D amp? Do they beat Class A in any other categories that count for sound quality?
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I recall when I was in college I could hear well to 20khz. I know because I ran tests. I also found it much harder to get sound that was not fatiguing. This is back in analog days even. These days I know I cannot hear to that extent which is normal for ears my age. I find listening not fatiguing at all and can listen enthralled for hours and not want to stop. With most any kind of music or recording. Well except the occasional really bad modern loud pop mp3. That’s what its all about. Maybe there is some advantage to getting older after all. Any young cubs out there still with golden ears out to 20khz? I’d like to be able to associate what people like to listen to with their age and measured hearing which becomes less extended for all as one gets older. I suspect a big correlation there. |
Admittedly, I have limited experience with Class D. About three years ago, I bought a Peachtree Nova 125. At first, I loved the 'sparkle' that it produced at the high end. But shortly thereafter, I kinda got tired of it. I felt like I was listening to music much less than before. When I replaced my speakers with BW CM10, the brightness was too much to bear. I replaced the Peachtree with a Parasound A23 (I now own A21 BTW), and the difference, at least to me, was night and day. The music was much more balanced all the way. I listened longer and enjoyed my music more than before. Perhaps other brands, or higher price points, yield better results. I don't know. But I was not all that impressed with Class D. |
To the O.P.... Whether or not class D amps are inherently better or worse than any other topology is a false problem. Rather, with class D amps, like with any other topologies, you are bound to find amps that are of your liking, and others that you will hate with passionate abandon. The key is... Set your budget, and then... Use your own ears to evaluate and determine what you like! Ignore the pronouncements of any manufacturer who is committed to any particular topology -- Hello Atma, how doing? Ignore those who attempt to denigrate a class of operation as a whole, be it D, A/B, A, or tubed, particularly when they are basing their pronouncements on measurements, graphs, and specs. Like any other technology, class D amps range in price... From less than $1K, to at least $60K... Some amps -- -- might sound a little non-denominational, and might sound even sterile, without much sublety. Other ones, even modestly priced, are amazingly subtle and musical. One thing to bear in mind, is that class D amps are bears to break in... The wonderful old Bel Canto Ref 1000 Mk.2 took a relatively modest 600 hours to deliver its best, but my NCore-based Rowland M925 monos took about 1500 hours to achieve thier top magic. I adore my class D Rowland M925 monos without reservations for everything they do... In my opinion, their resolution and seductive grainless musicality is in the same league of the big Solution class A/B amps and the ARC 800 tubed series. I have no interest in "upgrading" to anything else at this time, as what I heard this far would be, at most, a lateral move... On the other hand, at some future, I might indeed "upgrade". But whether this process will take me to a class D device or a class A/B device remains an open ended question.... I will evaluate, and will decide which gives me "magic" close to my heart, and which manufacturer offers me confidence. But I admit... in spite of class A and big tubes being as capable to deliver sound that I would adore, There will probably be no pure class A amps in my life... I have no symphaty for inefficient heat generators... Nor will there be big tubed amps, because I have no intereest in tendeng and swapping sagging or burnt-out tubes. Saluti, Guido
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Guido, thanks for the very practical and level headed advice. I suspect you have more experience with more Class D amps among others than most anyone, plus as far as I know you do not have any particular financial interest in any particular product line or type, so together that all means a lot. I agree amp type alone means little. Its all in the execution as usual. Not just of the amp but matching system as a whole. There are many options of all types, some better than others and all surely somewhat different. Its best to understand something about them all and then decide. No one type will likely ever own 100% of the pie. But I suspect Class D will continue to own an increasing larger slice over teh next few years anyway. Who knows what might come next after that? |
Guido, I understand your practical advice. However, companies such as Bel Canto & Rowland don't make Class D amplifiers. They take Hypex or Ice Modules and make mods to them so they can add their house sound. So, I think that Class D can be discussed as a topology. There is general agreement that the sound of Class D is improving, which is to be expected since this is a high tech product. |
My experience is similar to some others here and well-stated by timrhu, I stopped with the almighty NCore amps. They almost always sound impressive at first listen, clean, quiet, and cool running. For me though, they begin to show their true sound after a month or so. I've given up on them.In my case, it was a fatal flaw similar to that described in the review of the Mola Mola Kaluga by Mono & Stereo. I had no problems with high frequencies and for me it was more about inner dynamics and the presentation sounding whole instead of like a grouping of individual sounds...sort of like the difference between a band playing live and the same band creating a recording by dubbing one player over the other until finished. Sorry it is hard for me to explain, but the Class D Ncore just didn't sound as musical or involving, although they were clear, quiet and had excellent bass. I really wanted to like them best but kept thinking something was missing. So, what sounds better? The Class D I owned for over a year was the Acoustic Imagery Atsah, which is the Ncore NC1200 modules in CNC-milled aluminum boxes, very similar to the Merrill Veritas. At that time, I owned four amps. What I liked better were; Lamm M1.2 Ref - Class A McCormack DNA-2 LAE with full SMc modifications - Class AB Clayton M300 - Class A I still own the last two and in my system playing Aerial speakers the Clayton monos (300/600 wpc all in Class A) were easily the best sounding of the bunch IMO. |
Tube amps generally require certain speakers that are an easier load and more efficient to shine.This is true of all amps including class D. You can see it in the specs. If high end audio reproduction is your goal, there is no argument for a speaker that's hard to drive. The last thing you want to do with **any** amplifier is make it work hard! Ignore the pronouncements of any manufacturer who is committed to any particular topology -- Hello Atma, how doing?Fine, thank-you. A drunk ran a stop sign and T-boned my car, totaling it, back in July. I had a lower back injury that was really painful (bulging disk into my sciatic nerve); its only now healing to the point that I can dress and move in a normal fashion. In case you were not seriously asking about my health, it might interest you to know that we've been studying and working on class D for some years now. So you might want to re-think your notion that we are 'committed to a particular topology'. We practice pragmatism, not ideology. |
Ralph, Karsten Nielsen doctorate work at Technical University of Denmark is available on line. Here is volume 1: http://www.icepower.dk/files/ph.d.thesis/Volume_I_Title_and_preface.pdf Sorry to hear about your injury. My daughter has sciatic nerve pain for reasons unknown. Hope you will get well soon. |
Atmasphere 11-4-2016 A drunk ran a stop sign and T-boned my car, totaling it, back in July. I had a lower back injury that was really painful (bulging disk into my sciatic nerve); its only now healing to the point that I can dress and move in a normal fashion.Oh, wow! Sorry to hear about this, Ralph. But of course I’m glad that it wasn’t even worse, and that you are progressing toward normalcy. We practice pragmatism, not ideology.No wonder we usually agree about things in the discussions here. In a past thread I recall describing myself as neither a subjectivist nor an objectivist when it comes to audio, but rather as a pragmatist with a technical background. As far as the subject matter of the thread is concerned, I have no experience with class D, and nothing in particular to offer in the way of comments. Kijanki, best wishes to your daughter as well. Best regards, -- Al |
As far as I'm concerned the best Class D amps made today are the Mola Mola Kaluga Monoblocks, which I own. They have ZERO of the nasty sound behaviors people always seem to cry about when ever the topic of Class D technology comes up. It wouldn't surprise me if 99% of people who always crap on Class D base their opinions on hearing sub $2k examples of B&O ICE tech of yesteryear or even worse, are just parroting what they read elseware of other oblivious folks who fall into the previously mentioned 99%. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Those mentioning issues with switching frequencies have no idea what they are talking about. Can you really tell me with a stright face that you can hear a 500Khz switching frequency and that you have a speaker that can reproduce such a sound? Come on people! |
Class D amplifiers are good at delivering lots of clean power, that's true , but you listen to speakers driven by them . From my perspective the best sound has a seemingly limitless low level resolution and quickness where you can hear very far into the distance with what I call " the breath of life ".Everything sounds so real . High sensitivity loudspeakers do that the best and don't require tons of power . You choose your power amplifier to suit your loudspeakers , not the other way around . There are two new David Berning ZOTL amplifiers from Linear Tube Audio at 10 and 40 watts that offer enough power if you have the right speakers . I've only heard an older ZH270 and that's got the best sound I've yet heard . Would love to hear the newer designs.His designs are not class D , using tubes operating at radio frequencies , extracting the music signal from the carrier wave for dynamic , effortless sound .Reviews can be found . |
I have a couple of Class D integrated amps: Peachtree Nova125 & NAD Master M2. They are very different in quality IMO. The Peachtree soundwise is pretty good. Perhaps, it does have a little harshness some associate with Class D when compared to good Class A amps. However, I may have a unit specific problem with the DAC portion, which may be to blame for this (I will have to sort out with Peachtree). It also can get slightly congested with complex passages (bands & orchestras) at higher volumes. At it's price point, it does an excellent job. There would not be many/any Class A amps at this price, unless you bought some older, used ones. It also does have a great feature set for digital inputs (only one analog). The NAD M2 is a very, very, fine amplifier. It is not a typical Class D amp, more of a powered DAC, using a relatively new technology. It is very musical, which is not typical in Class D amps. It is absolutely dead silent when no signal is played, which makes it extremely dynamic. Very detailed, excellent bass control, mids are rich and authentic. Makes high quality recordings sound exceptional. Given that it all you need is a source, the M2, and speakers, it is extraordinary value. (See glowing reviews in Stereophile and Absolute Sound that explain the technology) Main drawback of the M2 is that it does not have a USB input, so a S/PDIF bridge is required in that case. It does have both RCA & XLR analog inputs if required. The analog signals will undergo an A/D conversion because everything is digital in the amp, so purists may object. Personally, I don't notice any degradation when fed an analog signal. IN summary, the Peachtree is good value for the price, but (with my unit) may not satisfy those willing to spend big dollars on high-end Class A or Class A/B amps. The NAD M2 (costing several thousand more than the Nova125) is a good challenger for Class A & A/B amps costing quite substantially higher. Definitely worth auditioning. I believe it is no longer manufactured, but newer NAD products will use the technology. |
In my personal opinion, I think the very best sounding Class D amp out there right now are the Classe Sigma Mono's. However, I still think a Class A, a Class A/AB, or a Class AB amp will still at this point in time beat sound wise any Class D amp, but I'm talking Class A amps of the high end order vs Class D amp also built by a high end manufacturer. Of course a high end manufacturer's high end Class D amp will beat a mid-Fi companies Class AB amp. I don't think any mid-Fi or low-fi company builds any pure Class A amp's as I'm sure all of us already knows that. |
I own NuForce mono block class D amps. They were cited by Absolute Sound as "amp of the year" several years ago. Combined with a tube preamplifier and old Dalquist DQ 20 speakers, the sound is remarkable. I listen mostly to Classical music and find the rendering more lifelike than with any other amp I've owned. |
Nu force must pump a lot of money into absolutes sound to purchase that moniker. :) its a joke my my fellow Americans, as I know if I didn't say so, you would all be butt hurt. :) i heard some class D monos, they were just ok, nothing special. tiny lack of upper treble , midrange was ok, bass was good. Would BUy if they ever stop making AB amps :) |
CLASS TD anyone Arcam’s P49 The P49 has been designed to leapfrog the competition with a massive 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 400 into 4 ohms. It delivers 50 watts in pure class A mode while allowing for huge extra power reserves from our latest generation class G topology that is both clever and efficient. During normal operation, distortion is measured in less than one part per million so that this massive power is deliver with total control and finesse. There have been great strides made in improving audio sources and loudspeakers in recent years and the time is right to match them in the field of amplifier design. This ground breaking amplifier is a must audition amplifier for music lovers who understand that power is nothing without control. |
OK Guys, I have a whole different approach to this Class D issue. While I have a beautiful sounding stereo setup, I like variety. So I recommend you buy the Topping 80W per channel amp on Amazon for $200. It uses Class T technology (Tripath) that is used in the evo versions of Bel Canto. Looping technology is the key to making class D work today, and this little amp is stunning and is cheap enough were you can hear something different while waiting for the ultimate realization of Class D. And for those of you who care, I use Soundlabs U-2 (6' electrostatics) with custom modifications normally powered by custom 6C33C based mono-blocks, Audioquest Sky interconnects, Custom pre-amp with OTL and transformer selectable switching and variable capacitor loading in OTL mode, Wadia DAC, etc. And yes, I do use the tube amps in the winter here (Denver) to warm the room as it cuts don on the time the forced air heat is running, which causes a bit of annoying background noise. Vincent Raptor |
I usually don't have the time to read these much less chime in on these things but I can't resist here. Those that say D amps are for Cars and Subs don't know what they're talking about (sorry). I have been in the hobby for 25 years and been a dealer as well. I have owned many amps throughout the years and have reached audio nirvana with a Red Dragon pair of M1000 monoblocks and a Prima Luna preamp. I have two other friends that have been dedicated hobbyists for many many years (one of which was also a dealer for 15 years) who have become believers too. One owns the AVM MA3.2's and the other owns H2O monoblocks. Both pair them with tube preamps. Two others class D amplifiers that I know are incredibly musical.... the Peachtree Nova 150 and 300. Another friend of mine owns the 150 and he's never been happier. I heard the 300 at Axpona last year driving a $20,000 pair of Martin Logans and was creating one of the best sounds at the show. The other brand is Primare. Only heard it at a show but again a sound that no one could say wasn't incredibly great musical sound that was hard to pull yourself away from. Class D was for cars and subs only five or ten years ago but they ARE up to par NOW. Set up properly they will exceed your wildest audiophile dreams. At the end of the day there is more than one way to skin a cat my friends. It's what can make hi-end audio so fun and also very frustrating at times. Happy Listening! |
Recently acquired the NAD 12, which uses the NCore technology, along with M22. Best sound I've ever heard. Clean, focused, powerful, clear as a bell. As an aside, I use some powered PMC monitors for recording and read somewhere that they use similar power modules. That would explain the similar clear and detailed sound I heard through those. Might not be as much fun for you audiophiles, but I think this may be the technology of the future. |
Try to sell everyone, I'm sticking to cars and subs, been in this game a long time, I also worked as a stereo salesman, this means nothing, been in this game too long, between my brother and I, we have probably had every brand which is worthy under the sun. a good a/b amp is by a country mile, just better. I will keep my ears open for a good class d sound, but so far there are several missing components of the sound they make, and yes, on multiple speakers/sources, preamps, missmash of components, cables, name it , my brother has probably owned it at one time. Sure, they are cool running, gobs of power, small footprint, etc etc, but the sound............it is just, not there. There is no sparkle, rapture, goosebumps, whatever silly names which are used. If YOU, like them, awesome, enjoy them, I know they are not for me and as far as the belittling names, sterile, heartless, soulless, etc etc, so not the case in ANY amp I have listened to. :) |
You mean allowing the listener to feel the musical emotions? Like how the Atma-Sphere amplifiers and pre-amps does in spades :-) Class D has never given me those intimate feelings during musical playback however for Studio recording, tracking and mixing on large studio speaker it can work, for Large Pro Audio Speakers it works even better. For Audiophile level setups i am not yet sure but i have not heard them all. I have Class D Quested Amps setup for Home Theater use, powering up my Quested Rear channels all 12 of them with out a hint of strain, and it does a fine job. However my main front LCR Speakers use Active setup Class AB Quested Amps. I Would like to Hear a Class D amplifier paired with a 300B Tube pre-amp. |
So I get the obvious strengths of Class D. Efficiency, power output & running cool which allows for small form factors. I also understand the weaknesses somewhat. 1. Non-linear & lots of distortion that needs to be cleaned up with an output filter. +1 seanheis1 Cheers George |
When relating impressions of various class d amps it would help to also mention what speakers were involved. As I mentioned earlier Clas D will distinguish itself with certain kinds of speakers whereas with others it a harder call and some they will just not shine. Nobody is saying they will always sound best rather they up the game in terms of what is possible out of a package more people might like but only if given the chance to do what they do best. |
Mapman +1. People are tossing terms like "nonlinear" or "lots of distortion" without even understanding the principle of operation. I can understand when people don't like sound of particular class D amp with their speakers, but tossing pseudo-technical terms is plain silly while starting thread using such terms is ill minded. |
Kijanki I think it’s easy to obsess on one or two aspects of a product, good or bad, and forget there are many factors that go into it many of which are hard to quantify and further there is no mathematical formula for determining how something actually sounds. The more I read about it ClassD technology sounded like a good idea to me. My favorite local dealer sold only class d and tube amps. He had never steered me wrong over many years. These days he admits to me that the class d hybrid integrated amps he sells sounds the best with the choice speaker lines he sells and I would agree. There are more than a couple highly regarded participants here that have accepted the technology as well. Whatever. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. |
Good for you, mate! I should have mentioned that those NAD's are driving Paradigm S-8's. Great sound, and they really tame the beryllium tweeters. Someone had an earlier post re "large" studio speakers. The monitors I was referring to are small PMC 20/20 Six near-field monitors of my home studio. They were recommended to me by one of the famous Nashville mastering engineers, Glenn Meadows. He uses big PMC's in his master suite and like most large monitors, they are not self-powered and are, as in the common practice, driven by Bryston power amps. But most studio mixing is done on smaller near-field monitors. Most studios have the big ones too, but they are more for show, than go. I can sort of see why your dealer might sell only Class D and tube amps. The former for clarity and control and the latter for sweet euphonics. Nothing wrong with the latter. That's why we use tube guitar amps and old tube mic pre-amps and emulations, or old recordings. But the former is why we record and store in digital. And i prefer not to add another layer of glaze to the playback. But whatever you like, it's music. Nobody gets hurt. |
I`m using a Herron tubed phono stage going into a Tortuga Audio LDR preamp coupled with a Class D Audio SDS 470 and it sounds pretty darn nice to me ! I am toying with the idea of adding a Rogue amp to the mix for a horizontal bi-amp deal, but I`m in no real hurry and I`ll take my sweet time till the right one comes along (used) because this just sounds so good as it is ! |
Sorry, Randy-11 but this article is garbage. The critical fact to bear in mind is that all Class D amplifiers have outputs that are comprised of discrete power increments, a notion that can more easily be thought of as resolution steps. Class D amplifiers have no "steps" at all. They are analog with unlimited resolution. Author cannot comprehend that in class D amps quantity of interest - voltage is replaced, in linear modulator, by duty cycle . Amplifier jitter rejection can also be critical There is no such thing. Analog amplifiers with voltage input have no jitter rejection. Author appears to be uneducated thus unfit to write on the subject. |
Mapman +1. People are tossing terms like "nonlinear" or "lots of distortion" without even understanding the principle of operation. I can understand when people don't like sound of particular class D amp with their speakers, but tossing pseudo-technical terms is plain silly while starting thread using such terms is ill minded.kijanki, here is my reference for Class D not being a linear technology and having a lot of distortion that needs to be removed with an output filter. http://www.infineon.com/dgdl/an-1071.pdf?fileId=5546d462533600a40153559538eb0ff1 |
Nonsense. Not only that I don't know what they mean by "Pumping back the energy" in half bridge configuration (that I use all the time) but at least they don't mention limited resolution. Such statements: However, the differential output structure of the bridge topology inherently can cancel even the order of harmonic distortion components and DC offsets, as in Class AB amplifiers. A fullbridge topology allows of the use of a better PWM modulation scheme, such as the three level PWM which essentially has fewer errors due to quantization.are gibberish. Just in case your'e interested Icepower is Full Bridge while Hypex is Half bridge. Which one is better - let your ears to be the judge. Full bridge places half of the supply voltage on the speaker wires all the time. Look at incredibly low THD and IMD specifications (and measured data) of class D amps - not possible with non-linear amplifiers. In all this discussion about errors (power supply voltage or dead time) author forgets about negative feedback (dual in Icepower amps). Without this feedback class AB amps would sound like shit. Their conclusion: Highly efficient Class D amplifiers now provide similar performances to conventional Class AB amplifier |
Devialet, hah, if you enjoy overpaying by %900 for a basic low level all in one which sounds no better than a Best Buy receiver at 300$, go ahead. Local stereo shop has these, they are seriously nothing special, I have heard them with those big$$ Cremona speakers, Martin Logan ES speakers, sure the Martin logans go a little louder due to more watts, but those watts are poor. I must have spent 4-5 hrs in the shop that day as I bought a new CD player, and listened to every room they had. McIntosh monos' , devialet, NAD, A pair of tube amps by McIntosh that were restored by the owner, and 3-4 other amps, several speakers, etc etc. I was not impressed, but my son was, who fell asleep listening to Pink Floyd through the McIntosh/Cremona combo. If you need small footprint, and are financially stable, go ahead buy them, you will be fine, but there is WAY better for far less, and goosebumps do come with other brands free of charge. Just my worthless two cents. -MY humble opinion- i don't want to come off as a di*k, I'm not, this is only my opinion of my listening experience, if you like them, buy them. I would personally go with another Sunfire Signature 600, send to bill flannerys for a update/overhaul, and be happy for 15+ years. |
Regarding the EE Times article, I took a look at some of the many patents that were issued to what was then the author’s company, JAM Technologies. It appears that most or all of their amplifier designs were intended for applications in which the amplification circuitry is provided with digital inputs, and operates exclusively in the digital domain until low pass filtering is applied to the pulse width modulated signal at the amplifier’s output. Given that, the references in the article to jitter and to quantized output levels seem understandable, but along with the rest of the article would seem to have little if any relevance to class D amplifiers that are driven with analog inputs. Also, JAM Technologies was described as a fabless semiconductor company (the word "fables" appearing at the end of the article is an obvious error or typo). Their designs appear to have been mainly intended for flat panel TV, PC audio, and personal media player applications, not for higher powered audiophile-oriented applications. Some additional background I found that may be of interest: The company was founded in 1998 or 1999, and no longer exists. The author of the article was a co-founder of the company, together with another gentleman who was its chief technology officer and the inventor named in most or all of its patents. Both gentlemen left the company within a year or two after the article was published in 2005, and their subsequent professional endeavors have been unrelated to audio or consumer electronics. Regards, -- Al |
@arafiq I've had 3 different Peachtree amps (NovaAmp220, Nova 125SE, and Grand Integrated X-1), as well as a Parasound (older HCA-2003 model). The Peachtree amps (with my gear, in my room) all absolutely sounded better than the Parasound. Granted, the A23 is a much newer amp, so I might have favored that one over the Peachtrees, who knows? @spenrock I agree with your assessment of the Peachtree gear. Their stuff is a great value for what you get. They "punch above their weight class" you could say. I have Peachtree integrateds in two rooms of my house with nothing but a Sonos and Altec Lansing speakers connected to each of them, and I'm not wanting more for these rooms. That said, if you want to spend more, you can certainly get better sound. These aren't reference systems. I currently have the Nord One Up (Hypex NC500 based) monoblocks in my big system. These have replaced the Peachtree Amp220 and immediately sounded more transparent and dynamic. The new generation of Hypex class D amps are the real deal. These amps use the same Hypex amplifier boards and power supply module that the Bel Canto 600m amps use, and they are a great fit in my system. So far, these are the best of all amps I've used (10s, but not 100s). FWIW I am using a tube pre (PS Audio BHK Pre), power regenerator (PS Audio P10), and large, low impedance speakers (Martin Logan Aeon i), all of which seem to lend themselves well to class D. I'm very happy with the set up. |
Hi seanheis1, amplifier designers modifying class D modules is largely an urban legend.... One of the few amp designers who has done this is Bruno Putzeys, who has made some minor modifications to his own Hypex NCore NC1200 for integration into the Mola Mola Kaluga amplifier that he has also designed. Rather, Designers who utilize class D amplifier use an incremental design approach to their amp implementations. For some entry level implementations, it is often possible to limit oneself to housing the power conversion module in a chassis and wiring it to output terminals.... If the module is of very high quality, such as the NC1200, or its NC600 younger brother, the results can still be remarkably good. Some other manufacturers, such as Merrill Audio, do a thorough "passive" component design around the modules... They implement highly dampened chassis, highest quality internal wiring (e.g. Cardas), and I/O connectors: see for example the Merrill Audio Veritas monos that I have reviewed for PFO a couple years ago. In some cases, like in the entry level Merril Teranis stereo amp, they design custom input stages. Finally, some manufacturers, like Rowland, utilize the Hypex NCore NC1200 models as component parts of sophisticated amps, where all but the power conversion module is a custom-designed component.... In the M925 monoblock, the power supply is a 2500W DC multi-regulated SMPS unit fed by a power factor corrected rectifier (PFC) where the generated DC is further "whashed" through Jensen 4-pole capacitors to eliminate any residual ripples. The inputs are coupled to very large Lundahl transformers to maximize common mode noise wrejection.... There is a lot more to the technology of the Rowland M925 amps in my own system, but I do not pretend to know all technical details. Suffice to say that the resulting sound and music are too die for.... The amps are as quiet as can be, and the output is harmonically articulate, with no trace of grain, and certainly without any treble intermodulation that I would otherwise easily detect as harshness in split high string and high brass parts. Granted, in general NCore amps, the higher end Pascal amps, and also the better ICEpower implementations are not likely to fit the requirements of the lover of triode designs who prefers a slight bloom in the midrange, a warm mid bass, and a gently tapered off treble. Rather, these amps, once they are well broken in, tend to yield what I like to call a "goldielockian" musicality. In other words, a sonic environment that yields an even harmonic treatement to the entire audible spectrum.... I love it, but admittedly not everyone does. Regards, Guido
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Guido and others, the Lyngdorg is one such Class D design with other new and cutting edge technologies implemented. Best sounding amp I have had the pleasure of listening to. It is a dac, room correction, preamp, and amp all in one. This is indeed the future of audio and it is coming fast. I love tube amps and preamps. I love NOS dacs, I love vintage tone. This Lyndorf bettered all those other separates I still love. So Class D with other SOTA technology mixed in can not only be great, it can be stunning and best in class. Regardless of the technology used in an amp, Class A, AB, D, H etc... It is the implementation that counts. Yes, Class D is implemented differently with emerging SOTA solutions. So buckle-up Aphiles as we are in for a great ride. I will also say this to Class D detractors. Have you heard every Class D option out there in your home? No is the obvious answer. Leave room in your mind for the possibility that Class D with its various implementations may in fact please you. I am a believer now and was not about 12 months ago. I had heard several Class D amps in my home and in the end thought they were OK. Well Lyngdorf changed that with their particular implenmentation......for me anyway. |
