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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
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
For years I poo poo’d Class D in the same fashion as Kosst has here. But, because of curiosity and a sense that a company I trust, PS Audio, wouldn’t be spouting off about how good these amps are if it couldn’t be backed up, I decided to try a pair of their class D monoblocks.

They sound better than ANY of the MANY of non-Class D amps I have owned in the past, not only to my ears, but to several of my audio buds who have now listened and who are both tubed and solid state (non-Class D) amp owners. They ALL agree that my system sounds significantly better than before with these amps.

I took a chance and am now convinced that the technology has arrived at level consistent, and exceeding, the sonic perfomance of ANYTHING out there.

Also, this nonsense about caps burning up early due to the switching technology is a lame attempt to scare people in an era where fear reigns supreme. Good electrolytics last a long time. Enough of this fear mongering.

Horseless carriages were deeply despised and 'destined for failure' when they started out too. Any car owners out there?
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
I said in a post that I could not hear switching distortion in my amp and believed that most, if not all, of said switching distortion wasn't audible. Ralph Karsten said to me, and I quote:

"Speak for yourself, Kemo Sabi"
erik_squires
16,325 posts
 
Also, this nonsense about caps burning up early due to the switching technology is a lame attempt to scare people in an era where fear reigns supreme. Good electrolytics last a long time. Enough of this fear mongering.

In the amps or speakers?

I think there's been a great deal of improvements in cap technology over the last 20-30 years. Low inductance, and low ESR electrolytics are a lot more common.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
And of course we can all hear 400+kHz, right? Yeah, right...
erik_squires
16,325 posts
 
Maybe the question we really should be asking Kosst and George is this:
What, exactly, are the audible effects of switching distortion in a Class D amplifier, and can you give specific examples, with speakers, that you have heard this from?

Like all amps, I don't think Class D is right for every speaker, so I am open to the idea that certain speakers will perform worse than others. So, George and Kosst, ball is in your court.
Please share with us your experiences.



Best,

E
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