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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
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
356 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.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,980 posts
 
Well nothing’s perfect but in all honesty gotta say that Class D done well comes about as close in all ways that matter  as anything I’ve experienced in home/high end audio. Even without breaking the bank in some cases. If I were competing with it these days rather than benefiting I would definitely consider it a threat to my existence and take actions accordingly.
seanheis1 OP
636 posts
 
Well nothing’s perfect but in all honesty gotta say that Class D done well comes about as close in all ways that matter as anything I’ve experienced in home/high end audio. Even without breaking the bank in some cases. If I were competing with it these days rather than benefiting I would definitely consider it a threat to my existence and take actions accordingly.
Maybe we will start seeing Class D preamps then...
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