The Truth about Modern Class D

helomech608 posts09-02-2018 9:00am

Vladimir Shushurin (Lamm)
"No, it is not. And I would like to respond to the second part of this question with an allegory. Any field of human activity defines a number of requirements which, when properly implemented, guarantee a positive outcome.
For example, the basic requirement in the army and sports is an able-bodied individual. So, it would be quite natural to concentrate on searching for such an individual (especially as we know where to find him).
However, out of the blue we decide to choose a feeble-bodied person who, on top of that, is encumbered by various diseases. Having made this decision (which is a priori improper) we start justifying it to ourselves and others by citing the great state of our medicine, which is capable of curing many ailments."

helomech
Bingo

We better put up the question again to what this answer above relates to, which is:
" Is Class D competitive with linear designs in sound quality, and if not, will it ever be?"

Cheers George

Because they still apply today, but there’s light on the horizon

This is, in fact, too ridiculous to satire.

Watch out George, I stated I don't think Class D is ready for primetime and was jumped on.  Watch out, the Class D police are out there, lol.

@stereo5 -

I’d suggest you make your specifics known. What Class D and what are you comparing it to?

Because the ICEpower I’m listening to sound nothing but warm. The NAD D 3020 sound a touch brighter, but not unpleasantly so.

There’s nothing in your original statement specific enough for me to believe you are being sincere. If you are, state your experience.

I could say the same about tubes. "Tubes are not high end, but maybe someday..." 

@erik Squires...……………………………...

A good friend has the Merril Audio Class D monoblocks. Do not know model number, but they were painted very red. I find them dry and tipped up on top. I tried the Wyred4Sound Class D stereo amp in both of my home systems. I had it in my systems for 2 weeks. I left it on 24/7 and played the Isotek burn in cd for 10 days straight, 24 hours a day. I didn’t like the presentation one bit. Actually, it sounded better before all the break in, but not better in a way I would have kept it. Back it went.

I heard a Devalient, and kept asking myself what all the fuss was about. I heard the MBL integrated (the one Stereophile loves) at the RMAF, hated it. My wife said it sounded shrill. My son has a NAD 3020 integrated Class D amp (the first one) . The rest of his equipment I gave him, a pair of Kef LS50 speakers, Audioquest cables and speaker wire, my old Sony SCD777es SACD player and a Magnum Dynalab FT11 tuner.. I can’t stand listening to his system, way too bright for these old ears. My son thinks it sounds clear, it just gives me a big headache.

I have heard a couple more class D amps in stores but not for long listening sessions. Sorry, I just do not care for it. Does that make me a horrible person because I don’t like them? I enjoy the lush romantic sound I get from Mac and since I am spending my money on it, what I like counts (to me).