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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,118 posts
 
Geez the guy who knows how to make good ones that have been successful likes them and the ones that don’t and make other stuff that must compete are not sold. What a shocker! Why is your name not in that article George?

Oh and the guy who has done it successfully is only a "semi pro".  

I’m sure when you come out with your own Class D amp someday it will be the bees knees but threads like this might convince me to turn in my audiophile card sooner rather than later and I will surely miss out. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Oh and the guy who has done it successfully is only a "semi pro".
Semi "for it" because of his statement. (forest and trees mapman)
 "evolutionary pathway of audio design that MAY produce even more astonishing results IN THE FUTURE"  
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

Thanks for the link George. Seems like I may be a little more picky than the folks mentioned on that thread. For me that is.

As I have mentioned before I, first of all, don’t like the sound of amps crammed into over built chassis, they sound to constricted (congested) to me. I also don’t like the sound of huge transformers too close to the other parts hosting the signal. I don’t like the way heatsinks distort and the list goes on. In general I don’t enjoy big heavy amps, of any type. I also don’t like listening to crossovers or damped speakers or garden hose wire.

What I do like is low mass and variably tunable products. Since I use my systems as musical instruments, including the environment, I can see where my views may differ from others here. I can also see where my views might fit into the future of amps more than some here.

I really only have two beefs on this forum and neither has to do with what someone likes or believes. My two beefs are internet trolls and folks who talk about stuff they haven't actually done.

mg

fleschler
1,997 posts
 
My best friend uses a Channel Islands Class D amp and he is comfortable using it.  He would like to substitute one of my Class A/B voltage regulated amps which can control the bass of his demanding speakers instead but can't afford the change.  He is a very discerning audiophile and part time remastering engineer (worked with Kevin Gray on some top quality LP remasterings over the years).  So, he is satisfied for now with even the older technology Class D amp.   I've mentioned that I heard the Prana Class D amp and it was musically involving and sounded very good.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,772 posts
 
I find Brunos definitions kind of useless.
Most Class D have no Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC) stage, but do have comparators. Hence the feedback required.
Actually the use of a comparator has nothing to do with whether feedback is needed or not. If its a cheap comparator with offset problems feedback is probably a good idea, but IME the resulting amp will have the problems that many class D detractors (often, myself included) complain about.
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