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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
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

Actually I have owned Class D and class A/B amps....


Aragon 4008 Mk.2 stereo A/B -- Nice but limited performer.

Rowland 7M balanced high bias mono class A/B -- Wonderful golden tone... Absolutely captivating, with huge sound stage and power reserve... but does not compete with current designs in resolution and distortion.

Rowland M312 stereo class D -- Fabulous 2nd generation class D based on ICEpower 1000, with PFC rectifier prefixing the regulated SMPS, and Lundahl input transformers... Would stand up even today, IMO.

Early production Rowland M625 stereo class A/B... Very sweet and transparent... But could run out of gas on extreme transients.

 Rowland M725 mono. Original non-S2. Overcomes all limitations of original M625, and edges above M312.

Rowland M925 mono class D -- An incredible performer in a class of its own that I have owned since 2013... I adore it... I have not heard an amp yet that exceeds it in its totality. A total keeper.

Rowland M535 bridgeable class D -- I am evaluating a bridged pair... Jaw-dropping music maker, particularly considering that each chassis in stereo mode lists a smidgeon below $6K.... IMO worth a few times its list price. If M925 did not exist, a pair of M535 would be my long term choice.

   

Saluti, G.




  

tweak1
3,573 posts
 
GuidoC

You seem like the perfect candidate to get the GaN amps

I have owned 4 different gen class Ds, Parasound A21,  and a behemoth Kinergetics KBA 75, which I think was puree class A. It grabbed a hold of the heads on my then Genesis Vs, like none of the other amps I tried on it
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

Hello Tweak1, are you referring to  amps designed around Gallium Nitride transistors?  I have had a mono amp in my system designed around Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors for just a few days last spring. It was a still incomplete but lovely prototype of the now released Merrill Element 118 monos. At the time, it was not fully broken in and still showed some minor artifacts. In spite of that, it showed high promise, Yet I could not get a complete idea of its performance within the limited hours of up-time.


Saluti, Guido




georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I have had a mono amp in my system designed around Gallium Nitride (GaN)
Which EPC "evaluation" board was this last spring? as this is the only way to get them as far as I know?

As far as I know this board is the only one EPC (using GaN transistors) that’s been released so far,
The EPC0106 at $1338.00 usd, no transistors only yet.

https://www.digikey.com/products/en?%20WT.z_cid=sp_917_0110_buynow&site=us&lang=en&mpart...

https://epc-co.com/epc/Products/DemoBoards/EPC9106.aspx

Cheers George
cheenyportabello
2 posts
 
I have an NAD C 268 class D amplifier, NO PREAMP, and mac mini DAC using 3.5 mm line out and the sound is MAGICAL and I've heard just about everything.  I think the main is reason is that there is no preamp, but for whatever reason, the sound is just incredible. 
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