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The Future of Audio Amplification

I have recently paired an Audio Research DS225 Class D amplifier with an Audio Research tube preamplifier (SP8 mkii). I cannot believe how wonderful and lifelike my music sounds. The DS225 replaced an Audio Research SD135 Class AB amplifier. Perhaps the SD135 is just not as good as some of the better quality amps that are out there, but it got me thinking that amazingly wonderful sonance can be achieved with a tubed pre and Class D amp. I have a hunch that as more people experience this combination, it will likely catch on and become the future path of many, if not most audiophile systems. It is interesting that Audio Research has been at the forefront of this development.
distortions
tweak1
3,680 posts
 
shad,

Only of your system is 100% true balanced, but then you won't need tubes anyway. True (differentially) balanced cures a lot of ills. Sadly, most reviewers have no clue
tweak1
3,680 posts
 
I don't doubt the NuPrime is great, but how many of us have 8K for amps? If the tech interests you, check out Nord from the EU. Very reasonably priced and high quality using latest IcePower
tweak1
3,680 posts
 
https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/icepower
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,965 posts
 
There are also some amps like the latest Technics SE-R1, which are true digital amplifiers in that they convert everything from Analog to Digital, allow for phase and amplitude correction in the digital domain, and then produce an output based on a PWM output stage.
Just for the record Eric, such an amplifier is a hybrid. Pulse Width Modulation is an analog technique. In any Class D amp, some form of encoding is needed, and PWM is probably the simplest means.Even if the amplifier is computer controlled to adjust its encoding scheme to accommodate various codecs (in effect a DAC that can drive a speaker), ultimately its still class D and thus also analog.
erik_squires
16,402 posts
 
Strictly speaking, encoding is not used in Class D. There is no conversion of one type of data to another. Instead Class-D relies on feedback, and a great deal of it. It is a comparative technique.

That’s the nature of Class D and why it remains overall an analog process.
The Technics uses no feedback. It has at least 3 processing steps:

1 - Initial encoding from Analog to Digital
2 - Signal processing(alters the input signal to match the speaker behavior)
3 - PWM
Away with your nonsense, but I expect you will write four pages of barely related word salad to reply.
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