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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
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

"And you can’t refute the amount of listeners that can hear the problem with the upper mids and highs."

Actually I can and do. Listeners having a problem with their mids and highs have a system problem not a Class D amp problem.

Michael Green

erik_squires
16,399 posts
 
@georgehifi

There’s a reason for it, it’s there and real, and if you can’t hear it, fine. But please, don’t tell others they can’t, when they can, and the measurements back them up.

George,

All you do is tell others they can't be happy with Class D, and that they should be able to hear the same way you do.

The measurements you are hell bent don't back up a thing. 
There is a gap between a number and perception which you and kosst can't seem to grasp, but most can.

Best,
E
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

"There is a gap between a number and perception which you and kosst can't seem to grasp, but most can."

As Sam Elliott says "exactly right".

There's nothing wrong with being an engineer, and there's nothing wrong with taking measurements. However measurements and listening are two different items.

Michael Green

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,478 posts
 
All I can say is the good recordings sound scary real including piano brass and vocals and its dead quiet in my little 12x12 office when the music stops.

Squeezebox Touch -> mhdt Constantine DAC -> Arc sp 16 preamp -> Bel Canto ref1000m Class D amps -> KEF ls50s.   Klipsch sw308 sub tossed in for good measure. 

chrshanl37
835 posts
 
Exactly Michael, how many threads on this forum revolve around system brightness regardless of amp topology. Get nos tubes, get better cables, toe your speakers in/out, get a power conditioner, better power cables, change your preamp, change your speakers....on and on and on.
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