Dinos, I agree with you, digital amps will be much more common sooner rather latter. No, I don't think they will replace the majority of the amps out there right away. Many manufacturers and dealers are loath to invest large sums of money on R&D and marketing that might risk an established customer base. Why should they? Perhaps to avoid being left behind and loose there share of the customer base? Unfortunately many can not forgive the hype of "perfect sound forever" and carry a strong aversion to anything digital. In my limited auditions of digital amps I found them more in common with tubes than solid state. They exhibited a liquidity that tubes are known for. They presented the solid bass without the "electronic off flavoring" sometimes found on some solid state amps (especially on the "silent" parts). I think it's the upper end that is going to divide many listeners. I find them to be accurate and extended, other who have been with me at the same auditions found them "bright". I for one am excited by the promise of digital. I don't think we can go much further with current technologies. Whether digital amps are a step forwards,backwards or sideways, only time will tell. I'm optimistic that it will forward us into a better "audio" future.
Digital amp beat them all? Audio Physic Strada .
The german magazine Stereoplay has(in its June issue) a review of the new Audio Physic Strada monoblocks.
Like most german audio magazines this has also a preferance for ranking products in a hierarcic manner.
Interestinly, the new monoblocks from Audio Physic gets
60 point (on a scale that end with 63 points), while the
mag´s former reference Krell FPB 650 M gets 59 p.
For your knowledge;Electrocompaniet Nemo gets 58 p, the same as Pass X-350.
Althought the fact that I am sceptical about ranking systems
in Audio,I find it remarkable that a digital amp allready
can compete with some of (what is regarded) as "top-flight"
amps!
The Strada monoblocks has a switched powersupply and some
innovative curcuitry,e.g. it seems to be handling signals
of low amplitude in analog way, and switches over to digital mode for higher amplitudes in some form of bridge
output section. Sorry, my understanding of technical german
isn´t splendid.
They deliver 255 W/each in 8 Ohms, and costs about 15000 Euro a pair.
What do you think? Are digital amps taking over the scene
in the years to come, or will there be a "resistance movement" corresponding to that of CD-anlog?
Like most german audio magazines this has also a preferance for ranking products in a hierarcic manner.
Interestinly, the new monoblocks from Audio Physic gets
60 point (on a scale that end with 63 points), while the
mag´s former reference Krell FPB 650 M gets 59 p.
For your knowledge;Electrocompaniet Nemo gets 58 p, the same as Pass X-350.
Althought the fact that I am sceptical about ranking systems
in Audio,I find it remarkable that a digital amp allready
can compete with some of (what is regarded) as "top-flight"
amps!
The Strada monoblocks has a switched powersupply and some
innovative curcuitry,e.g. it seems to be handling signals
of low amplitude in analog way, and switches over to digital mode for higher amplitudes in some form of bridge
output section. Sorry, my understanding of technical german
isn´t splendid.
They deliver 255 W/each in 8 Ohms, and costs about 15000 Euro a pair.
What do you think? Are digital amps taking over the scene
in the years to come, or will there be a "resistance movement" corresponding to that of CD-anlog?
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- 43 posts total
- 43 posts total