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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,464 posts
 
I've observed part of the maturing  of Class D technology in recent years is that noise as Atmasphere mentions is a valid concern that may have been a more common issue earlier on in some cases when not handled properly but should not be and is not in practice an issue normally anymore with newer well designed and properly functioning Class D amps.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
Speaker cables would be a very poor antenna.  Since wavelength of 500kHz switching frequency is 600m a typical 2m cables would be 1/300 wavelength antenna.  Usually antenna becomes rapidly ineffective below 1/10 of the wavelength.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

Thank you Tim and nyame.... I try to report what class D amps I have experienced in the last decade in as unadorned a way as I can.


One more class D amp worth looking at below $10K is the Theta Prometheus... I believe it is an NCore NC500 implementation which uses custom toroidal transformers instead of the standard NCore SMPs or a custom SMPS...


Perhaps you Statman can tell us more about your unit.... How long has break-in taken to complete... What amp is it replacing.... And what audible characteristics are most salient on Prometheus?


Regards, Guido


   

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Theta Prometheus... I believe it is an NCore NC500
Ncore NC1200 class-D module with a linear power supply created by Theta's David Reich.

Cheers George
bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
You said it booboobaer.   I haven't read the entire thread, but have followed its progress, and I know there are lots of smart people here talking about Class D switching noise, and zombies coming out of the power supply, and modules and cats and dogs living together, and basically the the worst parts of the Bible.  I don't know about any of that...and I concede that due to my lack of technical knowledge, it's possible that my Peachtree integrated is secretly plotting the overthrow of mankind right under my nose and I don't even know it.  All I can tell you is that there's beautiful music coming out of my speakers, and that my Audio Research integrated with new set of KT120 tubes has become a very nice rack ornament.
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