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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
probekk
5 posts
 

Uberwaltz,

Like 1markr I'd recommend the Red Dragon S500.  I've had mine for almost a year, and although it may not yet be fully burned in (I don't listen for many hours each week) I am really pleased with the sound: clear, transparent, very well-controlled and articulate bass, natural-sounding treble, and well balanced overall.  Because I live in Britain it was more expensive for me to obtain than it is for you in the USA, but I'm very glad I bought it.   As you get a 45-days return option you can really hear what it's like in your room and with your equipment.

The rest of my equipment resembles yours: Esoteric X-05 SACD player, Townshend Allegri preamp, and B&W 804S speakers. 

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Red Dragon s500 under serious consideration!
Read the reviews and like what I see
Now to find one......
drewmb1's avatar
drewmb1
67 posts
 

I received my PS audio S300 amp on Friday.  Initially, the sound had no bottom end and sounded THIN.  At that rate it was on a fast track for a return if it didn’t open up with some more time.

I recently purchased a Marantz AV8802A which has balanced connection capability.  This was one of my motivations for purchasing the S300.  

I decided to remove my MIT single ended cables ($600 for comparison purposes) and switched to the balanced connections (Mogami XLT $80) which are the only balanced cables I own.  HORKY FINORKY!  and WOW! simultaneously!!!!  Suddenly, the amp exploded with detail, bottom end heft and specificity of instrument placement.  Once again, WOW!  I had no idea an amplifier could be such a significant difference.  This literally kicked sand in the face of my Outlaw 140 watt per channel amp.  I had no complaints with that amp either.  I was very pleased with it prior to this.  It’s a great home theater work horse.  2 channel music listening?  No comparison.

Speakers: Martin Logan ESL


seanheis1 OP
627 posts
 
I never expected Bruno Putzey (inventor of UcD & Ncore) to answer the question of this thread, but he did in a very candid Sound & Vision interview. 

S&V: Generally speaking, what are the key benefits of Class D versus the traditional Class AB and Class A designs that have long been favored by audiophiles?

BP: Efficiency and therefore the ability to construct amps that are powerful for their size. Only that. Modern Class D amps, in particular mine—ahem—sound good not because they’re Class D, but in spite of it. I can’t repeat that often enough. Left to its own devices, a switching power stage tries to do just about anything except amplify audio. You choose Class D to save energy but it’s all elbow grease after that. People don’t realize how much more challenging Class D is compared to Class AB. It’s truly an order of magnitude.
Read more at https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bruno-putzeys-head-class-d#AIQPKcJQwFsL2Zkd.99

erik_squires
16,212 posts
 
I said this in another thread. :)

Anyone can make a switching amp. Making one that sounds good is a whole other thing. Any manufacturer who can bring that kind of engineering talent on board would be VERY VERY lucky indeed. 

The paper Dr. Marshall Leach wrote in the late 1970's transformed solid state design so much that every amp after almost had the exact same layout. (a little hyperbole). Digital is not yet that mature in my mind. Still ways to innovate.

NuForce and Yamaha with their hybrid / Carver / NAD like approaches to marrying linear to Class D amps is pretty cool. Technics with their auto-correcting technology is also something to look forward to.

Best,

E
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