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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
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
Having said that, Class D is the future for better or worse. There is quite a bit of cost savings involved for amp makers. They can be pretty good with a tube pre amp as a bandaid.
The main reason class D is the future is simple- the semiconductor industry really doesn't want to make linear devices so much anymore- not like they did in the 70s and 80s! Very many non-audio applications are better handled by switching or digital circuits that were handled by linear circuits just a few years ago- and now audio can be done that way too.


teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
And even the linear solid state devices back then - really weren’t all that linear....and still aren’t....

Sort of a false intellectual enterprise to call them linear. Nice try, semiconductor industry.....
wolf_garcia
6,723 posts
 
Luckily the tube amp industry is alive and well, and should be thriving for many years to come...If I'm fooling myself by enjoying a tube preamp, a single ended tube power amp, and efficient horn speakers, regardless of the specs (I honestly don't have a clue what the actual specs are for my Dennid Had power amp), it makes absolutely no difference to me what anybody else claims about how this stuff sounds in my home. That said, my Class D bass amp is fine...I just patted its little head and told it to not be intimidated by all the tube amps around it.
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bjesien
1,322 posts
 
I recently tried two class d amps in my own home, I do every five or so years.  One was made by a small Japanese company, and remarkably good, but as the week went on, I turned it on less an less.  The second was also interesting with more features but it didn't bring out the midrange magic that I love about my speakers and it sounded a bit hard and flat. 
For me, if I was limited to class d, I wouldn't listen to music as often.  Now what I would accomplish with that additional time is more interesting than if I should feel shame for liking one more than the other.
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