Tubes/SS Power Amps?

Based on observations/listening experiences to date, I'm finding good Class D seems to sound more like good tube amps I have heard than most other SS amp technology. Plus they have the ability to drive many difficult load speakers out there today that tube amps are more challenged to do, without great cost, expense, size and heat.

Based on listening alone, I find my Class D amps, Bel Canto ref1000m monoblocks, hard to fault in any real way. But on paper, the very highest frequencies that might be heard are the area where Class D historically may not be up to snuff with the very best amps otherwise. That technical bottleneck as I understand it is due mostly to switching frequency limit and effects on associated low pass filtering needed. The latest Class D amp modules I read about seem to indicate that switching frequency continues to increase and improve as the needed technology improves. That would seem to push what is possible even higher.

Practically, I think Class D has arrived not just as being viable but the most practical approach to high performance amp design. Technically, the frontier is still moving with Class D technology it would seem, much as it is still with computers and related digital technologies.

The sky is probably the limit down the road, to the extent that it matters practically. Practically, what it means is though performance will continue to go up, becoming even more practical for even the most demanding applications, even more importantly, cost/prices will continue to go down as top performing Class D technology becomes more mainstream for high end audio applications.

Outside of high end audio, where Class D appears to already have a firm foothold, Class D seems to have already clearly arrived and is starting to take over.

When I first heard the Bel Canto ref1000m monoblocks in my system as a replacement for Musical Fidelity A3CR amp that ran largely Class A I believe, the sound was stunningly different in every way. PErhaps the single biggest difference I have ever heard switching components. IT was like a simulated reproduction of the music had been replaced with something much more resembling the real thing. I thought the bass was gone at first until I was able to get tuned back in. Then it was there in spades and way more dimensional, articulate and controlled than ever, which seemed to enable all the rest to be revealed much better than before as well. It seemed like a thick layer of distortion that existed prior was removed. I did not know what to make of it at first, but I quickly realized I could now turn the volume up much louder than prior without any discomfort or fatigue, and the music just seemed to continue to expand naturally rather than making me want to stop. One of my more shocking audiophile moments for sure.

"Class D is so neutral, quiet and clean that I'm probably hearing the sound of my preamp and source more than the sound imparted by my amp."

That's a good point and may well be the case. I use a tube pre-amp with my Class D amps as well (Audio Research sp16).

"a Class D hifi amp would have to have blue VU meters and an Art Deco case for me to warm up to it,"

That would be cool. Any Mac Class Ds yet? That would get my attention.

GIve it time....