Class D is just Dandy!

I have three Crown ITech 5000HD stereo amps (6 x 1250 watts) with incorporated active dsp crossover controlling 2 JBL M2 Master Reference Monitors and a JBL Sub18 (2500 watts bridged amp).  These are called class I by Crown and are a variation of class D.  Dynamic range, transient response, and headroom, are well beyond the traditional average "audiophile" system.  These characteristics are, in fact, staggering when compared to my conventional Classe/B&W 801N system.  No doubt, this is due in part to the extreme high wattage and active crossover of the  Crown amplifiers, something not easily obtained with conventional amps.  I don't sense any particular harshness with the Crowns, and, in fact, the system sounds pretty sweet, but I do constantly wonder if upper frequency refinement would improve if the Crowns were other than class I.   The totally outrageous slam and bass response of the JBL/Crown system, however, is quite fun.

Lots of great info and feedback on the "big boys" in class D (B&O, Hypex, Pascal).

I've been using the NuPrime IDA-16, which uses proprietary modules and I'm really liking what I'm hearing. So much so that I'm pretty sure it's staying (45 day trial period). 

Anyway, anybody else using class-D amps from manufactures "rolling" their own modules?

Cheers,

Scott

@samac

I looked at the NuPrime pages VERY briefly. NuPrime’s tech sounds a lot like the Yamaha EEEngine. Small class A amplifier sandwiched between Class D voltage rails.

Again, kind of goes back to Carver’s Magnetic Field amp and NAD’s switching rails technology.

Sure gets grate reviews. I would love to give them a serious listen to see what the benefits really are.

I mean, it’s quite different from Hypex/Pascal/B&O but I have no idea if it’s much better.

The challenge with this kind of hybrid approach is again, you rely on feedback to tell you everything about what you should do from instant to instant. With the voltage rails swinging at the same time the Class A amp is swinging it is like shooting an arrow from a moving boat.

Best,

E

@erik_squires

Thanks, Erik, great info. I had no idea it might mimic or be similar to other designs.

It’s my first adventure with class-D so I have no idea if it’s better or even as good as Hypex, B&O or Pascal. I do know I like everything about it so far. It’s the easiest amp to listen to since my octal pre/845 SET combo. Refined and smooth with no listening fatigue at all.

I hope you do check out NuPrime. Would love to get your thoughts on how they fare against some of the competition out there.

Keep it coming, guys. This is a great thread.

Cheers,

Scott