Class D is just Dandy!

I'm using a PS Audio HCA 2 with the Cullen mods and I love it. 

I auditioned a variety of amps in my home - a high powered ARC tube amp and a Pass Class A amp at the same time I had the PS Audio.  I think I may have liked the Pass amp about as much as the PS Audio, but I'm inclined to keep my gear turned on all the time I didn't think I'd like the extra heat and energy usage.

Time and innovation march forward so I'm sure there are others that are better, but I'm not feeling any urge to upgrade at this point.

Paul McGowan of PS Audio recently released a really good video on the future of Class D audio.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98QQ43qgzbg

I still here the same fear obfuscation and doubt thrown at Class D amplifiers, without meaningful research behind it.

One of the biggest: Class D can't be as good as (blah blah) until the switching frequencies are above x Hz.

With zero objective evidence of such a thing. This is a vague, moving goal post.  I've heard a number of Class D designs that equaled or better very expensive Class A designs.

I'm not asking you to like any particular class D design, nor am I saying all Class D amps are going to sound as good as any linear amp with  particular speaker. I am suggesting this is thin techno-fear without research or experience behind it.

Yes, there is ultrasonic noise. So what? All amplifiers have noise. I have seen and heard zero evidence of this being audible. Yes, there will be amplifiers that will move the switching frequency from 450kHz to higher. So what? At what point, exactly, will it be high enough? What measurements, exactly, and what threshold of those measurements, will satisfy you that they have reached audio nirvana?

You do not have to like Class D. That's fine if you do not, but I've read encyclopedia's worth of hogwash on this particular subject here and elsewhere on the net. It's like a scam diet, which proclaims that x protein is the root of all evil. Buy my new book and I'll show you how to avoid and heal your gut... blah blah blah.

I also want to point out, I've been listening to Class D amplifiers since the 1980s. They were horrible, despite overall reasonably good specifications. So I'm not saying you should listen with specs, but rather, find the specs that correlate to audible effects. 400mV of 500kHz noise is measurable, but not audible, and my amps sound a lot better or as good as several Class A amps with all the speakers I've heard. I would gladly trade the size, cost and efficiency in exchange for a measurement that has zero bearing on my experience.

Sorry.  had to vent.

Best,

E

erik_squires

I still here the same fear obfuscation and doubt thrown at Class D amplifiers, without meaningful research behind it ... With zero objective evidence of such a thing. This is a vague, moving goal post. I've heard a number of Class D designs that equaled or better very expensive Class A designs.

I'm not asking you to like any particular class D design, nor am I saying all Class D amps are going to sound as good as any linear amp with particular speaker. I am suggesting this is thin techno-fear without research or experience behind it.

That you disagree with what some say here doesn't mean that they are guilty of obfuscation or are fearful. And while you claim otherwise, you are indeed asking us to like Class D because, as you state, " I've heard a number of Class D designs that equaled or better very expensive Class A designs."

It's not because of "thin techno-fear" that I don't like Class D amps. I just haven't met one that I like. To be fair, I'm not looking real hard, either. I just don't see any reason to replace the amplifiers that I have and which work very well in my system.

As Paul McG says in the video - we're just talking about stereo here. So why such a need to "vent?" Why should the preference of others disturb you so?

@cleeds

I’m perfectly OK with you not liking a class of products. That’s not what I’m talking about.

It is the notion that Class D switching speeds are the cause, and that someday they’ll be fixed that irritates me. It’s a type of prejudice not born in evidence. It’s the equivalent of "all feedback is bad" sales pitch for some amplifier designs. It is the boogie-man aspect of this particular line of reasoning that I am against, or that Class D still has anything left to prove to be among the best sounding amplifiers available.

Like what you like. Spend money to make yourself happy. But I'm done with arguments like "Bagostino amps are better because they have no feedback" or "Class D switching noise will never let it be as good as ..."

Those arguments are tired as can be.

Best,

E