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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I definitely recommend people always seek out and consider the latest and greatest technical innovations that can clearly help move things forward, Class D or otherwise, especially before dropping big bucks on older technology alternatives that have not evolved much but now cost more than ever.


Correct, all the current big $ or cheaper Class-D’s have not really progressed in a big way, yes they play around with different parameters, inputs ect and keep bringing out different "versions" of the same thing shifted sideways a little.
But it’s still "basically" the same operation/componentry/topology as when it started.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,115 posts
 
That is not what I said.   Class D sound sound and design has  progressed a lot and will continue to.   
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
It’s what I said, and have been saying now about GaN technology for close on a year.
It’s the single biggest technology improvement step so far since Class-D technology made an appearance in "full range" audio, not just for subs. And what you said kinda echo’s that.
"I definitely recommend people always seek out and consider the latest and greatest technical innovations that can clearly help move things forward"

stevecham
3,340 posts
 
GaN technology looks to be very promising and I read that the latest state of the art for power transistors in fast switching applications is to thin-layer GaN directly onto SiC substrates. This apparently saves big costs and allows the advantages of GaN to be realized relatively inexpensively.

Looking forward to auditioning affordable Class D amps using this technology.
tweak1
3,645 posts
 
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