I prefer UCD technology as well. I have compared it to Melos MAT-180 and a Karan KA-i180 and prefer the UCD based amp. I use mine with a tubed preamp also.
How do Digital Amps Mfrs. compare in sound?
I am so excited about all the reviews of various digital amps out there. I just know this is the future of audio because the value is just too irresistable.
But, there are so many companies out there: PS Audio, Bel Canto, NeForce, Wyred, Spectron, etc just to name a few. To compound the issue(s), the modding companies like Cullen Circuits are upgrading and modifying digital amps. So are there differences between these companies products' sound or does digital equipment sound homogenous? Where does the biggest "bang-for-the-buck" lie when it comes to digital amps? Has anyone directly compared any of these digital amps to each other?
But, there are so many companies out there: PS Audio, Bel Canto, NeForce, Wyred, Spectron, etc just to name a few. To compound the issue(s), the modding companies like Cullen Circuits are upgrading and modifying digital amps. So are there differences between these companies products' sound or does digital equipment sound homogenous? Where does the biggest "bang-for-the-buck" lie when it comes to digital amps? Has anyone directly compared any of these digital amps to each other?
Showing 4 responses by stereo
The two that come to mind that offer UCD is Channel Island (D-200) and Kharma (MP150). The Kharma is a little more money then the CI. You can also go to hypex.nl, order the parts and build one yourself. I have a pair of custom UCD700 made to monos. These output 350 wpc into 8 ohms and 700 wpc into 4 ohms. I am now building another pair. My past amps are; Adcom, GAS Ampzilla, Dynaco ST-70 modded, Melos MAT-180 and Karan KA-i180. |
Hi Coffeey, small design improvements can make large changes in sound quality in any design. Class D amps have always been good, maybe not great but good. UCD in the last year and a half has redesigned their boards and have chosen some better components. Class D amps use allot of surface mount parts and that is the reason most companies buy modules from B&O (ICE) or Hypex (UCD) and then design and build their own power supply. Now that class D production has picked up, many surface mount component manufacturers are willing to set aside the better parts for these designs. Most, if not all of the sound differences between tube and solid state amps are the parts and power supply. The same applies to Class D. Circuit topology for tube and solid state haven't changed much in decades. So how is it possible for a manufacturer of these amps to make their product sound better then last years or even 10 years ago? Parts, board layout, isolation and power supply. |
Audio research, Jeff Roland, Nuforce, Spectron, Channel Island, Kharma, Bel Canto, Pioneer, Rotel, Panasonic, Acoustic Reality, Flying mole, Digital Amp Company, Sonic Impact, Peachtree and Carver are all companies that quickly come to mind that now make a type of Class D amp. Another benefit is Class D dissipates much less heat. |