I hope Reel-to-Reel comeback will happen, even if the scope of it is limited. There is nothing like tape.
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?
- ...
- 159 posts total
It's not so simple. There's R&D, market positioning, technical expertise, etc. True one must generate enough profit/revenue to cover costs for a business to survive, more to make the effort worthwhile, but there is much more to consider. Sometimes reducing the profit margin (sales) to get deeper market penetration, to stimulate brand interest, and/or to reduce inventory (prevent from being stuck with outdated inventory, sell inventory to free up cash maybe to fund other projects). One cannot easily play with the profit margin. To increase the profit margin, one would have to reduce costs and/or increase price. Reducing costs is very limited as you'll soon get to point where quality will decline. Raising prices is limited by the competition, beyond a point you'll loose sales to the competition. Audiophiles are adept at recognizing price/performance, we have to at these prices |
@bigkidz your remark about class A mono blocks and how class D is “not even close”. Please do share what gear you are commenting about? Whatever your speakers - I’d love to stack a pair of Genelec “ones” next to it, with their brilliant implementation of class D amps inside. Some of the music you hear may have been produced on these Gens. |
- 159 posts total