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?
grk, Thanks for that link. Probably? using the Orchard GaN modules after the tube in the smaller amp. $3600-$4000 is a nice price range. You can get a tube front end on the high powered Purifi from VTV for about $3000. Lots of cool stuff out there. The 300 B version has no price yet.......probably $5K or more. |
I do not run a class D amplifier, so take this with a grain of salt.....though it does apply IMO. A tube preamp (or preamp section), can mate extremely well with solid state amplifiers. I have the recently updated CODA S5.5 class A SS amplifier that is truly a marvel, and was initially driving it with a Denafrips Hades preamp.....which is much better than I ever gave it credit. I recently added an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp, and my god what a revelation. I'd consider a tube preamp, or an amplifier with a tube input stage....it might be the best of both worlds for you |
Hypex Nilai renders a new level of sonic refinement over the pre ious modules, ice power included. The most underrated out there atm. I’m looking forward to getting the diy kit for the Nilai 500 amp myself. |
The above statement is false. Here is what I actually said:
That isn't me saying 'any modern opamp has no sound'! What I am saying is that if you know how to design with opamps, and if you compare high performance opamps, then you will not hear any difference other than perhaps the noise floor. I know there are companies that make a living selling opamps based on them having a 'sound'. But any engineer finds that sort of thing to be a facepalm event. It means either the opamp is poor performance compared to what is readily available (and probably for a lot less money) or the circuit in which it is used is poorly designed, or both.
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I knew you could not leave it alone.....you had to have the last statement....so, i will not comment and let the readers here decide for themselves who has truth and who is blowing smoke. If you want to know something about anything.....then do some research. The internet is a vast wealth of knowledge......but one persons opinion means very little. Don’t be a sheep or a lemming.......After finding out what MANY others say then find out empirically *with your senses" what is true, for YOURSELF. Listen and know. Do not believe me or anyone. Do your own research.....be your own creator, your own God.....for we are made in the image of the almighty. We CAN KNOW for ourself, what is really true about anything......including what is our true spiritual identity/reality......In MY EXPERIENCE......we are all love. and incredibly beautiful and amazing. The truth shall set you free......free from your ego mind.....free from worry.....free from death.....for we are eternal. Happy forever! |
