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The Future of Audio Amplification

I have recently paired an Audio Research DS225 Class D amplifier with an Audio Research tube preamplifier (SP8 mkii). I cannot believe how wonderful and lifelike my music sounds. The DS225 replaced an Audio Research SD135 Class AB amplifier. Perhaps the SD135 is just not as good as some of the better quality amps that are out there, but it got me thinking that amazingly wonderful sonance can be achieved with a tubed pre and Class D amp. I have a hunch that as more people experience this combination, it will likely catch on and become the future path of many, if not most audiophile systems. It is interesting that Audio Research has been at the forefront of this development.
distortions

Showing 3 responses by cleeds

cleeds
6,228 posts
 
bo1972
Audio is all about shootout and comparing ...
Some dealers want you to believe this, but I couldn't disagree more. A "shootout" is the worst way to evaluate an audio component, because what may appear at first to be impressive or revealing often - over time - reveals itself to be  distortion or some other anomaly. There's no substitute for relaxed listening over time in a familiar system, imo. That's when a component's true nature is revealed, and this approach to choosing components has served me well. "Shootouts" are for audio cowboys.
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
kosst_amojan
no class D amp will ever compete with a class A amp.  It's simply impossible to build a class D amp that reaches out to 500,000Hz and doesn't burp driving DC into a 2 ohm load.
This is the logical fallacy of the "excluded middle." Audio amplifiers aren't required to deliver DC. Even many excellent conventional amplifiers would fail to meet this absurd, arbitrary spec.
cleeds
6,228 posts
 
kosst_amojan
Almost nothing I said is up for debate ...
Sorry, but no one here is immune from having his remarks subject to debate. You enjoy no special privilege here.
Those are technical facts that have nothing to do with listening.
This is a hobbyist audiophile forum, so it is all about listening.
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