The Future of Audio Amplification

I for one have owned the gamut of amplification (including several class D variants with multiple iterations of Hypex and a DIY amp from Class D Audio). Class D was pleasant enough (with a tubed pre-amp), but failed to hold my attention and seemed vaguely flat and bleached for lack of a better description.

This common even with those that persevere with it as above.
But some don’t hear it, and because they can’t hear it, they say those that do are full of it, even if measurements are backing them up.
Bet you thought there was nothing wrong with the bass though
.
I still believe it is the future, just not yet, I think the Technics and Merrill ones with GaN technology, are going to lead the way, and take Class-D where it needs to be to compete with the hiend linear amps.
The others at the moment are great bass amps, but not hi-end yet elsewhere in the audio band..

Cheers George

so Kosst, are you saying all class D has audible distortions? What about A and or A//B? Don't they as well?

I have a 20 amp dedicated line, Core Power 1800 PC for front end . I bought it for my amp/s too, but they sound better plugged direct to wall. I use both WireWorld PCs and a couple from Tekline Audio, which sound better, but are 2+ xs the price, although WW has more expensive PCs too

Kosst. You have repeated your stand about specifications on distortion, overshoot of square waves, etc,etc. But you have eluded the simple question many of us have asked you, "have you listened at length, (weeks, months) to any viable Class D amp in your own system. I have no problem with class D not being your cup of tea, just you and other nay sayers believing it is junk and should be dismissed. To many well trained ears here have had wonderful experiences with class D, myself included.
Tim

I don’t recall the amp model, but Pass installed a pot on the front of the thing to dial in the distortion character ranging from a few hundredths % positive phase second harmonic to a few hundredths negative phase.

Pass makes the opposite argument you are making. Your argument is: I can see it has more distortion so it’s bad.

Pass’ arguments are that MORE distortion is favorable.

Further, he’s adding distortion which is in the audible frequency spectrum. Your claims Class-D switching noise (i.e. distortion) are in the RF frequency range.

So, we are back to : Is switching distortion from Class D amps audible or meaningful? In fact, none of the claims of sonic inferiority here even point to that. The only counter points I hear are of sterile sounding, or lacking dimension or engagement. Which of these problems do you think come from switching noise and distortion?

George insists that high speed is where it's at, based on no particular evidence. I mean, what exactly is high speed? What is too low? What is high enough? You have to buy into the idea that you have an audible problem to begin with.


Best,
E