I would certainly try it. It might make for a good match.
Class D with high efficiency speakers
I'm currently running PS Audio BHK Pre / Atma-Sphere S30 Mk3 OTL into Avantgarde Duo Omega horns (107dB/W 16ohms). I've been very happy with the sound of the OTL's the past 12 years and since retiring have been listening to my system throughout the day as well as evening. This is obviously impacting valve life (although Atma-Sphere amps seem very kind on valves) and my electricity bill.
I'm therefore keen to explore whether any of the new Class D amps would be a suitable match in my system.
I've seen a lot of reviews where Class D amps are feeding low efficiency / low impedance speakers and I can see the benefit of their ability to supply current etc.
My question is, does anyone have any experience of running a new Class D GaNFET amp into high efficiency / high impedance speakers?
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@o_holter Its been a year and a half now and I've not heard any tradeoffs. But if your speakers are designed for amps with a high output impedance (and mine are, FWIW...) things might be different. If you are dealing with a speaker like that you might find the class D to be a bit leaner in the bass because it will make less energy into the impedance peaks that are in the bass region of the speaker. |
I am sure class D can sound great and it would be great to try, with my sensitive Dream Maker speakers (16 ohms, efficiency: 92 dB/1 watt, Voltage sensitivity: 89 dB/2.83 volts). If class D can lift these even further I am all ears. I want to correct an impression I may have given in my post above. I have not heard many class D amps in my audio circle. Mostly, solid-state amps at a lower price level than my MA-1s. So - I really don't know. One thing I do know, is that running the passive speaker in an active speaker combo from an MA-1 amp instead of the active speaker amp, can result in a big lift of performance. This includes Audioengine and Elac active speakers. They sound much better.
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- 35 posts total