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The Future of Audio Amplification

I have recently paired an Audio Research DS225 Class D amplifier with an Audio Research tube preamplifier (SP8 mkii). I cannot believe how wonderful and lifelike my music sounds. The DS225 replaced an Audio Research SD135 Class AB amplifier. Perhaps the SD135 is just not as good as some of the better quality amps that are out there, but it got me thinking that amazingly wonderful sonance can be achieved with a tubed pre and Class D amp. I have a hunch that as more people experience this combination, it will likely catch on and become the future path of many, if not most audiophile systems. It is interesting that Audio Research has been at the forefront of this development.
distortions
matiasreccius's avatar
matiasreccius
41 posts
 
Here are measurements of Hypex nCore NC400 DIY kit made with an Audio Precision state of the art, and they are very good looking in the audio band.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-hypex-nc400-di...

The switching frequency is at 450kHz, no tweeter could possibly reproduce that... Not that anyone would hear it, not even dogs.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Kosst,
Honestly, and truly have you ever sat down and listened at length to ANY Class D amp? Specifically one in your own system? Set in the listening position and show me or more specifically tell me you hear the ringing distortion or switching for that matter that you hear in Class D amps. Although it might be harder than you think with your choice of loudspeakers......
ricevs
1,543 posts
 

As good as the NC400 module measures it does not sound as good as the slightly less good measuring IceEdge 1200 module.  And this is with the output caps in the NC400 changed to much better sounding modded and correctly oriented Wima caps versus a completely stock IceEdge.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154910.500 

See post # 509

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
The switching frequency is at 450kHz, no tweeter could possibly reproduce that... Not that anyone would hear it, not even dogs.
You need to understand better, it’s not the switching frequency "so much" but the "output filtering" needed to get rid of it that ’s problem, which gives phase shift problems right down to 3-5khz (the mids and highs of the audio band). (That's why any complaints of Class-D is the upper mids and highs, never bass or lower mids).

If that switching frequency were to be moved up 3 x higher (like the $20k Technics SE-R1 does with the GaN transistors) then that "output filter" can be also moved up by the same amount, then the phase problems move up as well in the audio accordingly.
I would like to see 5 x higher.

Cheers George
matiasreccius's avatar
matiasreccius
41 posts
 
Maybe that is what the class D amplifiers will be in 10 years more. Class D is evolving really fast. It is the future of audio amplifiers indeed.
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