Class D Technology

I've owned several Class D amps and just don't think they have the musicality of very good Class A and AB amps.

ricred,

That’s certainly a fair assessment. Everyone has their own personal preferences.

Mid-fi is not a fair assessment though IMHO. No amp is perfect. In that sense they are all "mid-fi" maybe. But I tend to think not. Each can only shine best when set up well and properly matched to speakers, etc. They are all the same in that way.

I've owned several Class D amps and just don't think they have the musicality of very good Class A and AB amps.

Same experience here.

I have two Class D amps. Bel Canto ref1000m monoblocs in my main system (with ARC tube pre-amplifier) and true digital Bel Canto c5i integrated in my other smaller setup.

They each sound way different. Both are "musical" but not in the same way. You should hear the c5i with headphones. It is quite spectacular. Plus it does all the rest extremely well to boot!

Mid--fi? I think not. I’ve heard a lot of mid and hi fi over the years. Both play in the bigger league for sure.  Kinda like the Cubs and Indians.  Maybe even the Yankees and Cardinals!

Also keep in mind if one is keeping score, Class D amps have the advantages of small size, efficiency and ability to drive most any modern speaker well, including smaller more extended models that are very popular these days.

Other SS amps can do it but are larger heavier and probably more expensive especially when power consumption per watt delivered is considered.

Class D amps are very "green".  Class A amps are "gas guzzlers".   That part is undeniable.

Tube amps generally require certain speakers that are an easier load and more efficient to shine. Otherwise we can be talking mid-fi results there as well. I’ve heard that on many occasions where speaker choice for tube amp is poor for various reasons.

So the only way its really a fair competition is to discount the sound quality of Class D, which anyone can do.

Then there is the fact that the Class D amps continue to improve as Glofi mentioned.

So Class D is definitely a player but the game is different from tube amps in that the speakers one ends up with for teh best hifi results will be much different.