Do you not know that within each class of amplification there are good and not so good designs. This also holds true in Class D amps.
Could Class D really be that good?
I've heard statements praising modern class D amplifiers all the time but was sort of hesitant to try. Lately, one particular model caught my eye, the Fosi V3, which costs sub $100 but is praised for having refined sound like class A/B. To fulfill my curiosity, I quickly ordered one and tried it with my Burchardt S400II and Wharfedale Linton speakers. Basically, this is a neutral sounding amp but, to my surprise, the sound is clean, open, airy, with full mids, wide soundstage, good imaging/separation, with nearly null traces of the edginess, dryness, or lean sound that traditional class D amplifiers have. The background is just as quiet as my current systems. The core is the TPA 3255 chip from TI and comes with a 32v, 5A power block, which is supposed to deliver approximately 65 watts per channel (into 8 ohms). It drives the S400II/Linton without any hesitation, as well as my 130-watt-per-channel high-current Parasound A23. Very impressive.
Measurement is not everything. However, according to the lab test results, when operated under 10-60 watts, the distortion level (THD) is below 0.003%, better than a lot of high-end (price) gears. I am going to build around it for my fourth system with upgraded op-amp and LPS. I believe it will outperform my current mid-end (price) amplifiers.
I know, I know, quite a few Audiogoners' systems are above $100k, and mentioning this kind of little giant that costs a fraction could be rather embarrassing. But I thought this is just like gold digging with a lot of surprises and fun. Don't you think?
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@phd believe it or not, there are people out there who simply write off Class D and some even Class AB right off the bat without so much as a blink. -Ed |
Interesting thread as I too need to replace a now dead integrated in my office system that took up too much space. Right now I am using a backup ATI 1502 amp with a passive pre (also too big) driving Spendor S3/5s. I've been looking at Class AB options with smaller footprints. I have only heard one D amp, a Rogue Sphinx v1 5-6 years ago. I was not taken but it seems that so many manufacturers have gone to D amps that I have been "reading up". I am not incline to play with the small 3255 amps but sounds like enough folks have been sold on the other versions of D tech that it could be time. I cant hear any of them where I live so that is the rub but a good return policy does reduce the risk. I will keep reading this and other threads on this. Maybe old (preset bias) dogs can learn new tricks... |
I for many years have been very very socially active in relation to my interest in audio. My times as a exhibitor to the general public/ audio enthusiasts has created an experience where my exhibiting space has been endlessly full for the duration of the event. With this today as being one fundamental attached to my Hobby, I end up travelling a lot with equipment. Certain equipment especially the Valve Based design are very fragile, or in the case of the owned Power Amp's (Stupidly Heavy), for managing at my age and being with arthritic ailments. In the past five years, I have been slowly learning about audio equipment, that is extremely impressive to my preferences, non-Valve and much lighter in weight. In any of the Amp's I have referred to in this Thread, I have found all that I require, when I retire the Valve Amp's. Additionally my research has also assisted with my discovery of a system, except speakers that can be transported in a Wheeled Suitcase. This is quite something for somebody who really does like to go all in with their support offered for arranged social events in relation to Audio and Audio Enthusiasts. I have no doubts if I were to change direction and utilise alternate Power Amplification, my exhibiting a system publicly, will still create as much interest as has the other times experienced. Note: There are routes into exceptional quality Power Amp's capable to stand toe to toe with respected Brands. The cost associated with getting to this place is not too much. If a Manufacturer of a Amp, had the BOM of the Amp's being referred to, there is no real way of knowing the final costing to be the RRP. Certain Brands with a larger profile in the market, are possibly gong to add 10 - 20 x in uplift costing, as a reasonable conjecture. I have it on good authority the Company in the Link to follow, offer a very high quality Class D Power Amp at reasonable monies. This is an Amp' I have recently been demo's for quite a few hours as a debut listen.
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