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
This is a huge step in the right direction getting rid of another point of noise (the smp), with the added lift of future higher switching frequency/filters and the benefits it brings, would spell the end of all linear amps. And Srajan's tubes below.

Practically all supplies are switchers.  So called linear are very primitive -switching at 120Hz when voltage is the highest, creating a lot of high frequency noise.  Current is drawn in narrow spikes of high amplitude.  SMPS on the other hand, when done right, is far better in many respects.  It is quiet, switching at zero voltage/zero current.  It operates at high frequency that is easy to filter out (much easier than 120Hz ripple) and is line and load regulated (vs. unregulated linear supply).  It has fast response to load demands - vs. slower response caused by inductance of huge electrolytic caps. It tolerates DC on the mains (It even operates from DC).  Rowland switched completely to SMPS using them for class AB amps as well as for preamps (to lower the noise).  Benchmark improved S/N ratio by 10dB by replacing linear supply in their DAC with SMPS.  New class AB amp from Benchmark ABH2 also utilizes SMPS resulting in 132dB dynamic range.  

Why then, designers still use linear supplies with huge transformers and capacitors?  For two reasons:  First, it is very difficult to design good switcher.  Second, they follow market demand - many people believe that it has to be "linear" and heavy.

3 of the main reasons manufactures choose use smp (switchmode) power supplies.
Size/weight, efficiency, and cost to manufacture.
 
Well designed linear power supplies, are still the supply of choice for performance/noise and reliability. But they are costly and inefficient.

If/when I go to Class-D amps, I would also prefer to have a well designed linear power supply powering it.

Just quickly two that I can think of that use linear supplies for the best result they believe to power their Class-D amps are. Mark Levinson and Rogue Audio, there are many more from the upper end of town.

http://www.stereophile.com/content/mark-levinson-no53-reference-monoblock-power-amplifier#OXQH9C1XSJuv27p5.97

http://www.rogueaudio.com/PDFs/Pharoah.pdf   

Cheers George  
The main reason manufacturers of high end audio (like Rowland) use SMPS is low noise and line/load regulation.  You can find it in FAQs on his (or Benchmark) website. He uses SMPS  in preamps where size or efficiency play no role.

Yes, top manufacturers still use linear power supplies, but main reason is demand from people who, mistakenly, believe that if it has to be heavy to be good.
Yes, top manufacturers still use linear power supplies, but main reason is demand from people who, mistakenly, believe that if it has to be heavy to be good.

Sez who???

Cheers George
Well, most of people on this forum (including you) think that SMPS is noisy and linear power supply is better.  This believe comes from bad rap of noisy crude computer SMPS applications.  They don't even realize that "Linear" power supply is a primitive unregulated switcher.  I addition, many believe that when something is smaller and more efficient something else has to give (that's human nature).  They apply this believe to both SMPS and class D amplifiers (that are basically controlled SMPS).  In view of that amplifier manufacturers would be stupid not to keep using "Linear" power supplies.  Only few true pioneers like Jeff Rowland had courage to develop state of the art SMPS supplies that are extremely quiet  (noise very easy to filter out at 1MHz operation).  Even 50kHz SMPS executed well are far better than "Linear" supplies IMHO.