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.
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Showing 1 response by orpheus10


I know I shouldn't weigh in on this, because I've never heard a Class-D amp, but I am an electronics tech with a First Class license.

Back in the 70's, me and Julian Hirsch declared that we could determine what any amp sounded like by it's specifications.

Julian Hirsch, bless his honest deceased heart, did not have 20-20 hearing, and I had faith in our belief.

In the late 80's, I wandered into a high end emporium in order to discover why people were paying so much more money for stuff that was inferior to mine according to the specifications; did I get an ear full.

I didn't know it, but I could hear a lot better than Julian Hirsch; there was a world of difference between my SS amp, and ARC tube (price as well). There was a big difference between everything I owned, and what I heard. What I heard was worth the difference in price.

Specifications are not as important as they are laid out to be; we can hear what can not be measured; you would be surprised at what some people can hear. In the military, my hearing was measured as exceedingly high. No need to pay for more than you can hear, but I could hear more than what my rig delivered.

I said that in regard to the SS versus Tube amp debate; although I have never heard class D, not only have I heard, but I was religiously devoted to SS amps; that is until I heard a tube ARC. I'm not pushing ARC amps, but I am pushing tube amps.

While a tube pre, and a SS amp power amp will pass; when you go SS all the way, it's a no show for me. I said that to say that I "believe" a class D amp will sound the same as a SS amp, and that's why I know I should not have weighed in on this discussion, but I did; so forgive me for commenting on something I've never heard.