High end Class D amps?

Operation is based on a non-hysteresis 5th order self-oscillating control loop taking feedback only at the speaker output.

Furthermore, the NC500 OEM is an unbuffered amplifier leaving the implementation of an input buffer up to the manufacturer. The NC500 is practically devoid of any sonic signature so this external buffer is a good way of tuning in a “house sound”.

It looks like in the Dragon they use the NC500. I assume they’re doing what every other manufacturer that uses this module they’re adding their sound with theirs or a third party external buffer. IMO it’s preferable to leave the signal as transparent as possible and not muck it up with distortion but to each his own.

It looks like in the Dragon they use the NC500. I assume they’re doing what every other manufacturer that uses this module they’re adding their sound with theirs or a third party external buffer.

Or even better if your source has balanced output and enough gain, feed it direct into the NC500 amp modules with no buffers at all, like I did, with my NC500 monoblocks. This is the least distortion and most transparent/dynamic you’ll get

Cheers George

Ok so A) Sphynx is the regular tube buffered input upstream of the D module implementation and the Dragon is the TubeD, just to be clear.  B) if by looking at a picture one can determine that bypassing select functions within the D module is not happening, then maybe so.  If not, then having those differences is indeed a novel approach.  And "We use only the modulator and mosfet output stage, and bypass all of the other circuitry on the amplifier modules" would seem to merit a listen or curiosity.  After all, isnt it desirable distortions that make pure tube amps what they are anyway?

Tidal Audio, unquestionably a leader in high end amplifier design, has announced their new amplifier. It appears to be Class D. 

Your source better have low output impedance as well. The NC500 modules are fairly low impedance on the input.

georgehifi8,196 posts01-03-2021 9:17pmOr even better if your source has balanced output and enough gain, feed it direct into the NC500 amp modules with no buffers at all, like I did, with my NC500 monoblocks. This is the least distortion and most transparent/dynamic you’ll get