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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
16,895 posts
 
ICEPower went through several incarnations. I can attest that the AS (or ASP if powered) is superb.

ICEedge is the chipset without the amplifier. :) Just the brains. So I think that we’ll start to see a lot more product differentiation among vendors.

The normal ICEPower module is 100% complete and tight in space. There’s no place to modify anything. At best, you can put in your own input buffer stage, and you can do lots with that. Transformers, tubes ets. but the ICEedge is the place where you can go really bonkers with part selection and circuit design.

I have no personal experience with these amps and linear supplies.

Best,

E
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
Erik .. madavid0 is only here to provoke. Keep in mind he started this thread:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/class-d-trash
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

This an open forum, that gives opinions from both sides of the fence, just as is happening at the "Class-D =Trash" thread, nobody has the right to dictate which side everyone should listen to, last time I checked this site wasn't run by communists. 

Cheers George
Post removed 
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

@madavid0


From a historical point of view, your statement has value. In olden days, let us say about 10 years ago, ICEpower modules taken by temselves produced the kind of sound, which were not particularly musical. There were in those days several examples of ultra-basic implementation of ICE that did not sound particularly attractive. THe same modules, however, used by amp designers with a modicum of amp design knowledged yielded extremely musical amplifiers.... I already mentioned the Bel Canto REF1000 Mk.2 and the Rowland M312 as examples. It is my understanding that more recent versions of ICEpower modules do not share the problems of the olde ones. 


I did not know about ICEEDGE.... I'll try to find out about it.


Your statement about ICEpower benefitting from linear power supplies is, a little tunnel-visioned... In the following sense.

ICEpower modules, as much as class D modules from other makers, often integrated their own power supplies, or have companion ready-to-go SMPS for those amp implementors who want to create simpler amps at a lower cost.


Most of these modules however, can be powered by power supplies of other origins, they be linear, toroidal, SMPS, or perhaps other types. Invariably, some of these supplies are very good, and some might not be. A good designer with knowledge of power supply design is able to enhance his class D amplifier with a custom supply..... I believe that Henry Ho has long term experience using linear supplies, with all reports pointing to great results... Rowland has been using custom SMPS for the last 15 years at least with equally great results. In the end, the type of power supply does not matter, provided it is sinergistic with the module, and truly enhances the musical experience.


Regards, G.


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