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?
In my third system I own the following gear, which I know most people would be jealous about: Gryphon APEX Monos CH Precision L1 dual Line Stage dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC stack Wilson Audio WAMM Master Chronosonic All cabling is Nordost Odin 2 This system sounds so alive that I have stopped attending to concerts. But you are correct - Class D sounds so lousy. Forget about it.
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@milpai , nice stuff you've got....i've cycled through all kinds of gear, but, my true breakthrough in high end audio happened after discovering the ACDA treatment options from Aoustic Fields. I literally tossed all my prior treatments in the trash after I found this stuff. It is not cheap, but, at your level of gear, I would seriously recommend these guys for room treatment. Don't waste any cash on all the other crap out there w.r.t room treatments. A guy will truly understand the criticality of competent treatment when he experiences it (you will hear things impossible with any level of gear on its own). |
@milpai 😃😃😃 |
Combination of designs of different class amplifiers may indeed work well. An example of such a combination of class D with class A was implemented in Digital Amplifier Company (DAC) Cherry amplifiers. Tommy had further plans to develop this line, unfortunately he passed away. So far, Cherry Megaschino is the best class D amplifier I have ever heard though it does get hot and is not light at all). |
Wow. Just…wow. The arrogance of this condescending statement directed toward one of the most respected amp designers in the industry without ever even having heard the amp is…wow. Speechless. |
