2. amps-preamps
  3. 126837-80492

Class D Technology

So I get the obvious strengths of Class D. Efficiency, power output & running cool which allows for small form factors. I also understand the weaknesses somewhat. 1. Non-linear & lots of distortion that needs to be cleaned up with an output filter. 
So my question is, if it weren't for efficiency & power, would there be any reason to own a Class D amp? Do they beat Class A in any other categories that count for sound quality?  
seanheis1
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
One heck of a lot of information, too much for my poor head!
I am in the market for new amplification, moving on from my trusty Krell KAV250 and was considering giving class d a try again. I say again as about 3 years ago i tried a pair of bel canto 500m mononblocks and found them to be so cold and sterile that I could not stand them.
So have class d moved on since these or should I stick to a monster class a like a bat vk500 or ml product?
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
@uberwaltz

Keep your Krell KAV250 (nice amp) for a while yet, read my reasons here.   
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/class-d-technology

Cheers George

maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
A standing ovation to Noble100 ’s post . Claps !
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Great post Noble100.

seanheis1 OP
624 posts
 
I am in the market for new amplification, moving on from my trusty Krell KAV250 and was considering giving class d a try again. I say again as about 3 years ago i tried a pair of bel canto 500m mononblocks and found them to be so cold and sterile that I could not stand them.
History is quite interesting for Class D. If you believe the reviews, Class D has been state of the art for lets say 10 years. When the Tripath amps came out they were declared to be superior to prior class D generations that sounded poor in the higher frequencies. Boutique companies such as Red Wine audio made reference gear using Tripath and the reviews were glowing. 

Next came Ice Power generation 1. They were claimed to be superior than Tripath and the boutique amp makers and Stereophile reviews claimed their superiority as reference grade.

Next came Ice Power generation 2 same story. Then Hypex NCore, etc.  

A snippet of a 2009 Stereophile review is below. 
"The Bel Canto Ref1000 Mk.II can be compared with the cream of the other amps I've had in my system: the Classé CA-3200, Mark Levinson No.433, and Ayre Acoustics V-6xe. Each of these distinguishes itself in different ways, and particularly with different speakers. Because of this, I think I must keep the Bel Canto Ref1000 Mk.IIs as a reference amplifier—an easy decision even when based solely on its sound, but also: in my living room, none of the others can be so easily hidden in plain sight."


More to discover