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Class D is just Dandy!

I thought it was time we had a pro- Class D thread. There's plenty of threads about comparisons, or detractors of Class D.

That's fine, you don't have to like Class D amps, and if you don't please go participate on one of those threads.

For those of us who are very happy and excited about having musical, capable amps that we can afford to keep on 24/7 and don't require large spaces to put them in, this thread is for you.

Please share your experiences with class D amps!
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
15,990 posts
 
So I just checked out ATI's multi-channel nCore amplifier. It looks really interesting, except packing that many channels (8) into a single chassis limits the total simultaneous output.

If you only have a pair of hard to drive speakers, this should not be a problem. Also depends on what you mean by "hard to drive". This is a big range.

Still, 8 x 200 watts = 1,600 watts total. That is a lot of output!!

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
15,990 posts
 
Here is the relevant part:
The AT52XNC amps are rated at 200W RMS per channel at 8 ohms
with300W RMS at 4 ohms and are available with 2 to 8 channels.

The AT54XNC amplifiers use two N-Core modules per channel in a differential bridged output configuration delivering 500W RMS per channel at 8 ohms and 900W RMS at 4 ohms. The AT54XNC amplifiers are available with 2, 3 or 4 channels.

It seems the 54xNC series are bridged, and therefore have half the channels of the 52xNC models.

Since the power supply is linear, ATI is limited in what they can put in a single chassis. A 1,600 watt linear supply is BIG and HEAVY and EXPENSIVE.  This wattage / size limit is driving everything else.

If you limit the channels to half, you can double the per channel output (more or less).

Personally, I'd rather go with a pair of unbridged 52xNC models, but limit the channels. 3 or 4 channels in each would give you a lot of power supply capacity/channel and ensure you had the best low-impedance drive possible.

Best,

E
jrunr's avatar
jrunr
49 posts
 
I don't know if that would make that big of a difference as the amps are not really modular and can't be modified to add or delete channels once built so I assume ATI has some regulator in the mix once they are built...

I really just wonder what the sonic differences would be between the regular and the bridged modules, if any.
erik_squires OP
15,990 posts
 
Hi @jrunr

Regulator or not, the question is whether they all share a transformer, that's where the money/size/weight is.

If I were designing them, I'd stick to 1 power supply model, and add or remove amp modules as necessary.

Best,

E


jrunr's avatar
jrunr
49 posts
 
E,

Do yo think there would be sonic differences between the modules?
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