What is the future of amp technolgy?

To Twl:

Like so many buzzwords "digital amp" has several meanings:

1) A "switching" (aka Class D, Class H) amplifier in which the output stage at any moment is either fully conducting or fully off. This is unlike a conventional analog amplifier in which the output stage at any moment passes current proportional to the instantaneous value of the input signal.

A switching amplifier produces music by varying the the ratio of on time to off time of the output stage in proportion to the music signal (i.e., by varying pulse width). Typically these amplifiers use some kind of filter on the outputs to reduce ultrasonic noise caused by the rapid switching.

Digital signals (both PCM and DSD) easily convert directly into the pulse width modulation signal required by such an output stage.

2) An amplifier that uses physical modeling implemented in software to reproduce the sonic characteristics of another amplifier (none for hifi use yet) or perform room/speaker corrections.

3) An amplifier that uses both of the above techniques.

Thanks, Ghostrider45. At least that gives me some basics to work with. Much appreciated.

Something's going on when a first-generation product like the Bel Canto digital amps have a bunch of tube-o-philes singing their praises. One can only guess at how good the second- and third-generation amps will be...

Also, and I should say that I do like tubes and what they can bring to a system, as the new formats improve on both the hardware and software fronts a lot of(but certainly not all) audiophiles currently using tubes to smooth out the phase distortion created by their redbook CD players may start to re-evaluate the need to soften edges and fill out the midrange. I think the new formats will likewise soon send a lot of turntables packing as well(again, not all, but most).

My bet is that in a few years we're going to have some relatively inexpensive digital amps and players that will sound so incredibly good that they will relegate the tube vs. solid state debate to a distant back burner. But then again I've lost bets before.

Tim

Soix:

I concur. One thing I forgot to mention is that "digital" amp technology is inherently energy efficient and relatively inexpensive to build, compared to classic big iron analog amplifiers.

The executions of this technology will only get better and cheaper.

Loads of new techie thingies, Digital switching, transimpediance modulating, Class Z+, Triple mono, Dual defractor power supplies, triple regulated digital filters, etc.

IMHO As only to SOUND, amp technology is nothing more than meaningless buzz words.

Older amps from Muse, ML, Mac, AR, J Rowland, VTL, D Berining, etc. sound just as good as most current offerings and are built better. Just my .02 cents worth and rant of the day.