Class D is just Dandy!

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

erik_squires

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.

That sounds more like an opinion than a prejudice to me.

This back-n-forth between class D and class A reminds me of the raging debate in the late 70's / early 80's over V8 engines and the up-and-coming 6s and 4s. Nobody, back then, could have imagined a 6 or lowly 4 producing the horsepower and torque of today's engines. IMO today's class D amps are the 4s and 6s of the audio world. Soon, and very soon, conventional amplifiers will go the way of the 426 hemi; the 427 corba jet; and the big block Chevy. Some will hang on to their Hemi 'Cudas, Gran Torinos, and Malibu Super Sports. And some of us will park our classics and embrace the Focus RS and the like. Regardless of which camp you're in, profits and competition drives innovation. Like it, or not, class D is here to stay. And one day class D will give-way to newer-tech. Personally I'm happy to be in the cusp of changing technology. I too am hanging onto my well-regarded, class A amp...but I'v also embraced class D and am happy. That said, if class D is not your cup 'o tea then so-be-it; being happy is the objective. But for those of you who are curious, take advantage of the plentiful home-trial offers...and ask those of us who gone before you about our experiences.