Is Class D Analog or Digital ?


Wow!!!..what a conversation! I called Music Matters yesterday in San Francisco inquiring about an older Spectral 
Preamp since their an authorized dealer for many years. The salesman I spoke to was not familiar with the DMC-10. He took my phone number and said I'll have someone get back to. I received a phone call today from the co-founder/owner Jay. I asked about the DMC-10.He trashed the piece saying it is grainy, bright and the newer designs are the opposite.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Us Spectral geeks know exactly how those older models sound. I told him I already had made a decision on amps. He asked, which amps are you getting? I said the Nuprime Evolution Ones since
Demiam Martin from Spectral is co-designer. He said don't buy them... their digital amplifiers and I tell my customer's to stay away from them because of that bright digital sound. Wow! I said they are analog amps and Class D is just a category. He said no, the D stands for digital. This is another prime example why so many Audiophiles are skeptical and will not put their toe in the water to go the class D direction.
audiozen

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

Congratulations Audiozen, for failing to state what exactly you have a problem with, and then for further obfuscating the issue which was otherwise well enough discussed.

Also, I disagree with your definitions, so lets just part ways as unamicably as we can.
And BTW< no, the D in Class D was just random coincidence. Class A, B and C were taken, so Class D became class D because it was next.

Also, I prefer some class D to lots of analog amps. :)

You can't go by the class, gotta listen for yourself.
It is analog and switching.

It is not considered digital because there is no A/D stage.  Control of the switching happens in the analog stage.

The latest Technics amps however call themselves true digital amps as they DO convert.  Some will argue that there is no such thing as digital amplifier, but to me the Technics is far enough down that path.