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.
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?
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“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. |
From the Design Group that did the LSA Warp-1 and the new Emerald Physics EP-600.2SE… we think these $99.50 Wireless, Streaming Mono Blocks are pretty cool.
We like Class D :)
Built for Music and loads of Fun! |
It depends on what you are looking for in sound quality. I would love to design a Class D amplifier that outperforms our Class A mono blocs but so far we cannot. No even close. BUT sound quality depends on the design, implementation and parts quality for the component. We have a listening room in Northern New Jersey and everyone is welcome to come and bring their gear in to hear in our systems. We do enjoy the company and meeting new people and are always willing to learn. Happy Listening. |
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