High End Amp Price Collapse musings

Like a microwave a Class D is either on or off as opposed to a Class A/B which is always on.

Not really... a Class A/B output device is either partially-ON or completely off. (Class A outputs are always partially-ON). The "partially-ON" part is the hard one, no device is entirely linear doing that. So they basically do just "some more" or "some less" in relatively accurate but still uneven amounts.

But the very fast solid state devices are VERY good at being ON or OFF over precise times, so in at least that way that works better -- the power devices don’t have to be linear, they just have to be fast.

markainsworth wrote:

Hi, I think that however good Class D becomes, it will always sound different than Class A, and a significant enough number of audiophiles will consider them worth their weight that the market for used class A / AB amps will not take a nose dive anytime soon.

And this really is the crux of the matter. Is any particular class-A amplifier really that great? or is it different?

What I mean is, if you say amp Abc is your reference, and then challenge any other amp to be "as good" then maybe none will because all will be "different."

I know some of the amps I like the most are just not that accurate. In fact they are quite colorful and euphonic. I think the ICEPower amps I'm listening to right now are actually much more accurate, terribly smooth and powerful with great soundstaging and no detectable noise.

In many dimensions these amps have eclipsed my all-time references the Conrad Johnson Premiere 8s. But better? Hmmmm, difficult question. I can say, for music and practical reasons I would not trade my amps for the CJ's right now.

Best,

E

"D" would be the proper grade for the sound of these amps. They do not sound like music, IME. I will stick with my big fat Krell FPB 300cx.

Neal

Good thread but people keep bashing Class D with generalities.  I haven't read a D-basher here yet that mentions which high end Class D amps they've listened to that pale in comparison to their Class A or A/B amps. For instance - Neal, I'd be interested to know which recent Class D amps have you heard that are so bad?  I have to doubt you've heard the new NAD stuff and if you have and still grade it a "D", then I'd have to say you're fibbing.  It is not only garnering acclaim in every review I've read but I own one and have compared it to both a tube amplifier and a very well regarded Class A amp (ATI) and it kinda blows them away in most regards.

I haven't read a D-basher here yet that mentions which high end Class D amps they've listened to that pale in comparison to their Class A or A/B amps.

Then you should go back and read the whole thread.  While some have made blanket statements about Class D or Class A or AB, others have indeed cited specific examples. Read my post from  02-07-2017 at 10:30pm for one example.  However, I didn't bash the Class D amplifier (which actually sounded quite good in many respects) and I didn't say it "paled in comparison" but simply that I liked the Class A amps better.  
So much of what we hear is affected by listener preferences, the type of music played, the room, and the ancillary equipment that most attempts at gross generalities or blanket statements do nothing more than incite an endless loop of rebuttals.