Discussion of Class D Amps Application & Experiences

Some class D amps are extremely boring, some are bass shy (usually older units) and others sound extremely musical (mostly newer units).

Of course the same could be said about any amp design type in general.

That’s why it’s best to not generalize. No two amps of any particular type are created equal. They all run the gamut.

Point is Class D CAN compete. That’s all.

Also I agree newer in general is better than older as is the case always with any newer and still more evolving technology. Also cost is NOT necessarily the best determining factor as usual. Even my tiny $75 Fosi Class D amp (about the size of a pack of cigarettes) with its tiny Texas Instruments Class D chip competes very well with anything else I have heard ever up for up to a few hundred dollars and will beat most vintage amps that sold for 2-5X more 40 years ago in a package 1/10th the size and the Bluetooth even works well enough for most if not the most critical 2-channel applications.

That’s how technology and progress works!

Can you believe we still use the same primitive disk-groove-based-like-riding-a-roller-coaster approach for records and playing them that was first invented well over 100 years ago? What’s up with that?

Try singing or playing a violin while riding a roller coaster sometime.

" That’s why it’s best to not generalize. No two amps of any particular type are created equal. They all run the gamut."

This is why I would like to hear from those who made the leap from class A, A/B to D to get their impressions about not only the sound but what sounds better or worse after the transition. Did they find equal or better performance for less money or were there trade-offs? I was also thinking along the lines of a tube pre but it seems hard to find one that offers a remote and no quirky aspects. (I researched the Conrad Johnson 17LS but didn't like the idea of the "click" volume control.) But I don't want to make this about pre-amps.....yet.

I wouldn't worry to much about the op amp the stock TI LM 4562 will measure right there with any discrete sparkos or sonic imagery. The newer iterations of Class D show better bench numbers but when you start getting into harmonic distortion numbers <-100 you're not going to be able to tell any difference anyway. Adding tubes to Class D amps seems self defeating to me you're adding distortion to an amp made for neutrality. The best at giving great detail without fatigue I have heard are amps with Purifi but Hypex is very close I haven't heard  ICE amps so they could be better though the few  measurements  I have seen on them aren't as good.

I had the ARC sp16 prior to the Class D amp and have had that combo for ~10 years now and still content. Next pre-amp will probably be SS. Maybe a Benchmark pre/DAC device is what I am thinking currently. 

Arc sp16 has a nice basic function remote.

djones511,651 posts04-23-2020 10:08amI wouldn't worry to much about the op amp the stock TI LM 4562 will measure right there with any discrete sparkos or sonic imagery.

I don't know your background, I don't know you. I hope you read
this.

This is from my ears to this forum, I'm very familiar, with the LM4562 NEC, E.I. T.I, op amps. played with them all, rolled them all.  ALL the discretes, I sampled, the SO was much better, even the Burson with the high failure rate due to poor regulator choice and potting problems.  

I worked with Andrew at Sparco labs to resolve some issues with the early Nord buffer boards, and the op amp SM sockets for my Mac
gear, and a few others.

From sparco webb site:

"Our discrete voltage regulators have at least 15 times lower output noise, 52dB (about 300X) better rejection of any noise coming into them, and 4X better load regulation than any other 3 terminal IC regulator that one can find to compare them against."

The regulators are the key to the Class A op amps, without this type of regulator, you can't take FULL advantage of the great discretes available,
or their sonic superiority.

Yamaha, Marantz, B&W, Channel Islands Audio, Meridian, Kharma, MM Audio, and Exodus, and about a dozen more use, Hypex NC modules

The difference in SQ between who does, and who doesn't, is very easy to hear and enjoy.

The comment on "A tube front end" is purely subjective, and you have the right to be WRONG, just as I do. I know how it sounds because I've done Mac, CJ, VTL, Marantz, and two handbuilt line preamps. ALL sounded wonderful, and pure sonic nuggets, with options...

If OPs ears are good, he'll notice the differences and certainly change them if he like. With the op amp/tube roll option, you have a lot of sonic latitude.   

Without those options, what other options do you have, PCs and ICs
No thanks...

Seems to be something djones51 hasn't tried, or, has has he?

WHY would you limit the OP options when it's obvious you, haven't hear the most popular class D boards available, ICE. I use them for bass duty. They are as good as any Hypex without op amp upgrades. For some, that's exactly what they like.. WHY? It's ALL they own. Second some ICE modules have a built in PS, that lets you expand. You can 1 or 2 amp modules depending on the model, at a very low cost. Great option.

SMPS1200 hypex power supply were powering most of 1ET400 amp modules, I listened too. Again not even close to a NCs with buffer board. Apples Oranges...Maybe djones51 listened to something else, DUNO, wasn't real clear.

Second I will only comment on what I've heard. What I've really sat down with. Not a day at a show, or a listening room. normally weeks at least. I read then I listen, and listen and.........

Happy hunting..

Regards