+1 @atmasphere and yes Class D can drive most any speaker well so best of both worlds there.
These are two key factors that have kept me firmly planted in Class D amp land for a number of years now.
Should I steer clear of class D amps
I’m finally upgrading my amp. I currently have an Onkyo TXNR 636 which has served very well but it’s now the weakest component in my system.
I’ve a budget of up to £1200-£1300 and been looking at the NAD C3050.
I was initially drawn to the NAD C3050 when I saw the VU meters but these are not deal breakers if I can get a much better amp without them, but I really do like them. I spoke with a dealer and he mentioned all NAD amplifiers are now class D and that’s now where I’m stuck procrastinating my purchase. My understanding was class D never really took off, despite the power efficiency due to the HF noise caused by the PWM. Times change things improve but I can’t find much about how they have mitigated this, in fact an article in EETimes refers to how the tests performed for THD etc are quite irrelevant in a digital amp and quoted figures may be very different in real life. In essence, the way of testing makes them look better than they are. This may be true but do they sound good? We all know vinyl is technically an inferior medium but I certainly prefer it’s sound.
I am listening to classic/ heavy rock and a mixture of lossless streaming from a NAS into a Cambridge Audio CNX V2 and vinyl off a Technics 1500C with a Pro-Ject DS phono stage all into monitor audio bronze 5s.
I need a new amp. I need slapping out of my indecision but it’s not an insignificant amount of £££ and I want to get it right. Should I stick with AB ? My electric bill can’t withstand class A or valve regardless of sound quality.
Also what’s the thoughts on NAD in general, I’m my youth they were good amps, but then so were Pioneer.
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I am an electrical engineer and listened to a number of class D amps in the 1970s. As others have said, they sounded awful. For decades I harbored this opinion that all class D amps chop up the signal and don't put it back together well. Several years ago I listened to a Bel Canto e1x class D amp. It was as neutral, transparent, and sweet as any class AB or class A amp I'd ever listened to. Class D technology has come of age. |
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When looking at major brand Class D amplifiers that use amplifier modules from the big three manufacturers (Hypex, Purifi and ICE), be sure that you're getting the very latest and best sounding designs of these boards. It is our opinion that the Hypex Nilai 500 and Hypex NCx500 (not NC500) are the current Best in Class. Be sure to take a look at the reviews on these products. The power supply used in these designs is also a very significant contributor to the overall audio performance. Be sure that the power supply is one that has been designed or approved by the board manufacturer to be able to fully power the modules. One common issue with third-party designs is they use multiple amplifier boards with a single power supply, which can severely limit the power output when all channels are driven. It’s important to read the specs carefully. Deer Creek Audio is an authorized Hypex dealer. We sell Hypex amplifiers that are pure Hypex designs with proven performance and reliability. Check us out at deercreekaudio.com
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