2. amps-preamps
  3. 137918-20253

The Truth about Modern Class D

All my amps right now are Class D. ICEpower in the living room, and NAD D 3020 in the bedroom.

I’ve had several audiophiles come to my home and not one has ever said "Oh, that sounds like Class D."

Having said this, if I could afford them AND had the room, I’d be tempted to switch for a pair of Ayre monoblocks or Conrad Johnson Premiere 12s and very little else.

I’m not religious about Class D. They sound great for me, low power, easy to hide, but if a lot of cash and the need to upgrade ever hits me, I could be persuaded.

The point: Good modern Class D amps just sound like really good amplifiers, with the usual speaker/source matching issues.

You don’t have to go that route, but it’s time we shrugged off the myths and descriptions of Class D that come right out of the 1980’s.
erik_squires
helomech
1,850 posts
 
Vladimir Shushurin (Lamm)
"No, it is not. And I would like to respond to the second part of this question with an allegory. Any field of human activity defines a number of requirements which, when properly implemented, guarantee a positive outcome.
For example, the basic requirement in the army and sports is an able-bodied individual. So, it would be quite natural to concentrate on searching for such an individual (especially as we know where to find him).
However, out of the blue we decide to choose a feeble-bodied person who, on top of that, is encumbered by various diseases. Having made this decision (which is a priori improper) we start justifying it to ourselves and others by citing the great state of our medicine, which is capable of curing many ailments."

Bingo
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

helomech608 posts09-02-2018 9:00am
Vladimir Shushurin (Lamm)
"No, it is not. And I would like to respond to the second part of this question with an allegory. Any field of human activity defines a number of requirements which, when properly implemented, guarantee a positive outcome.
For example, the basic requirement in the army and sports is an able-bodied individual. So, it would be quite natural to concentrate on searching for such an individual (especially as we know where to find him).
However, out of the blue we decide to choose a feeble-bodied person who, on top of that, is encumbered by various diseases. Having made this decision (which is a priori improper) we start justifying it to ourselves and others by citing the great state of our medicine, which is capable of curing many ailments."

helomech
Bingo

We better put up the question again to what this answer above relates to, which is:
" Is Class D competitive with linear designs in sound quality, and if not, will it ever be?"

Cheers George
erik_squires OP
16,898 posts
 
Because they still apply today, but there’s light on the horizon

This is, in fact, too ridiculous to satire.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,569 posts
 
Watch out George, I stated I don't think Class D is ready for primetime and was jumped on.  Watch out, the Class D police are out there, lol.
erik_squires OP
16,898 posts
 
@stereo5 -

I’d suggest you make your specifics known. What Class D and what are you comparing it to?

Because the ICEpower I’m listening to sound nothing but warm. The NAD D 3020 sound a touch brighter, but not unpleasantly so.

There’s nothing in your original statement specific enough for me to believe you are being sincere. If you are, state your experience.

I could say the same about tubes. "Tubes are not high end, but maybe someday..." 

More to discover