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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
erik_squires
16,406 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.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
I don't understand why there isn't more discussion of Bel Canto, specifically in this thread and more generally on A'gon.  They seem to be doing a lot of things right, and at a number of different price points, unlike some manufacturers.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
What evidence? You know, like 80,000 fancy fuses sold. Hel-loo! Wake up and smell the coffee, guys! ☕️

Mention mains fuses as "snake oil" and look who shows up, the king of directional mains fuse detection, really, and the rest of the fuse crew follows?
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,967 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.
Thanks pretty funny!  :)

Feedback (self oscillating) is one of three methods of encoding. The others are PWM and sigma-delta (Pulse Density Modulation). PWM allows the designer to build a zero feedback circuit.

Some form of encoding/modulation is of course required to make a class D circuit. Strictly speaking :)
Since you think this is all hand waving, see:
https://www.analog.com/en/analog-dialogue/articles/class-d-audio-amplifiers.html
(a short introduction to class D amplifiers by a manufacturer of class D amplifier ICs)

fleschler
2,030 posts
 
The trolls have infiltrated this forum now.  Too bad.  It maybe shut down soon by moderators.  Happens all over audiogon forums.   
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