Class D Technology

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

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

I'm curious about the Mytek

if it is not as great as they say, I'll likely buy a Benchmark

Randy,

I'm curious about the Mytek as well,are you referring to the ahb2.

Kenny.

Hello all,

I have over 500 hrs on my S-500 and thought I might comment a little about it.I think it's a step up in Sound vs nc400 and ref600m,these are the 3 class d amps that I own and I have access to more through a local audio club where we lend and or borrow equipment or occasionally listen to each other's systems.

I have been using a bel canto pre3 with all the diff. amps just to make a even playing field,the pre 3 is a pure water no coloration preamp.

The S-500 is the best class d amp I have had in my system and it has the warmest most engaging midrange with very sweet nicely extended top end that has more air and separation with the individual instruments making the entire frequency range very coherent.The bass is equally as good maybe better than my other class d amps listed.

I borrowed a Nuprime st10 to try out and found it too be a very close match to the S-500,with the nod to the S-500 for the best overall sound especially the midrange.

Offcourse this is in my system with my ears and judging the musical presentation that I prefer.

The next test will be comparison with a modwright kwa100se that I have owned for a few years but I haven't used it in about 3 years,I have loaned it out to club members though.I know it's a very good amp but can it equal or beat the S-500,only time will tell.

So many very good choices out there nowadays,


Kenny.