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Class D amplifiers. What's the future look like?

I have a number of amplifiers: Luxman C900U, Bryston 4BSST2, Audio Research VSI 60 Integrated, NAD C298 and some other less noteworthy units. As I swap them in and out of my main system, I've come to the conclusion my very modest NAD C298 is about all I really need. Granted if I had extremely hard to drive speakers, I might be better with the Bryston or Luxman, but driving my Harbeth 40.2 speakers, the NAD is just fine. 

I thought a while ago that class D would quickly overtake amplifier design type mainly due to profit margin which I think would be much greater than A/B and tube. I'm not saying the other design styles would go away, just that D would be the most common style. 

Clearly my prediction is not panning out, at least in the mid and high-end audio world and I'm wondering why? It seems companies such as Bryston, Luxman, McIntosh, Hegel and so many others are sticking by A/B. I'm no "golden ears" guy, but is the perceived sound issue(weather real or imaginary) still holding D back? Maybe my assumption of profit margin is not correct? Maybe the amplifier manufacturers are experimenting with D, but keeping tight lipped until release? Perhaps brand loyalists don't want change similar to what happened with "new coke". What else am I missing?

 

128x12861falcon
antigrunge2
1,346 posts
 

@mahgister 

Many thanks for coming out in strong defence of Ralph, who is a humble and careful commentator who compared to many on this forum is a master of his chosen subject

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,844 posts
 

We are all lucky to have an expert of this caliber swimming in this little pond...

Any attack on his moral standing as a member of audiogon must be counter with vigor...

We can loose many other members without loosing much, beginning with me, but no serious audio site can deal with an helpful adviser lost of this caliber... Those thinking the opposite are idiots.. I dont mince always my words... Nor am i always diplomatic,..Sorry... I know you think the same as me ... 😁

Anybody reading his very informed posts think  the same... I know nothing about amplification design but i am able to read articles and tech information...

 

Many thanks for coming out in strong defence of Ralph, who is a humble and careful commentator who compared to many on this forum is a master of his chosen subject

mike_in_nc
1,124 posts
 

If they renamed it "Class AA," it would sell a lot better. IMO, it's not the sound quality holding back wider adoption. Manufacturers and audiophiles are somewhat conservative as a group.

czarivey
5,721 posts
 

It's current, but the future I can see PURE primitive lo-fi made of old scraps 

To give you more details, I've just installed near-new old-stock 198x dishwasher. Planning to do same with rest of appliances. 

chenry's avatar
chenry
103 posts
 

“Class D” as a category is likely to be diffused across newer hybrid topologies ( Class G, Class H) and “digital” amplification in active powered speakers that will obviate the need for standalone amplifiers altogether while adding utilities like room correction. Class D may not displace retro technologies such as tubes, but it is likely to displace A/B topology as performance and combined A/D and GaN FET designs improve.

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