High end Class D amps?

jim2:" What’s this talk of underpants, leather boots, and a pimp?

https://cdn2.lamag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/07/Seinfeld2.jpg"

Hello jim2,

Just my feeble attempt at injecting a little humor, and having a little fun, in my long post on the relatively humorless topic of class D amps.

Good photo of Cosmo Kramer, I miss him and the show.

Tim

on 11/22/20 @bluorion posted the following:

Just an observation and a question. Are there 'high end' Class D amps out there that are just as good as Class A, A/B amps? I realize that's a sensitive question to some and I mean no disrespect---but whenever I see others' hifi systems on social media, all of the amps are A or A/B. There's always Pass, McIntosh, Moon, Luxman, Accuphase, etc. Where are the Class Ds? For folks out there that want more power for less efficient speakers and can't afford the uber expensive Class As, A/Bs, what is there to choose from that's close to those brands? Thanks

bluorion

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but he must have given up reading over the past 7+ weeks of chat by all the "experts" on this forum; and I don't blame him. @Bluorion,  I am not an expert, but I lived with Bel Canto ref1000 monoblocks for about 10 years as I have previously stated (about 6 weeks ago). My advice, try some Class D out see if you like it. Real simple solution.

Amplifier SINAD list ASR + 3rd parties: link to Google spreadsheet.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZlTOYxmPs938gqHjtDABkWS-MApu7uJjzIGnJ2Elm6Y/edit?usp=sharing

I wish it was a simple as determining a single test parameter like SINAD to determine what's going to sound good and what's going to sound mediocre. But then this hobby would be rather boring. 

My active set-up (via separate, outward components) until a few days ago comprised three different amp topologies: Class A for the MF/HF horn section (Belles SA-30), Class A/B for the bass/mids section (Crown Macro-Tech 1200) and Class D/PWM-based for the subs (Crown K2).

The Macro-Tech was a temporary solution to begin with being that its built-in fan sports a considerable noise level - one that I was able to suppress to some degree (though not enough), not to mention the very audible hum from its transformer. The Belles obviously as well as the Crown K2 are passively cooled.
The Macro-Tech’s aren’t youngsters dating back to the 90’s, but they’re build like tanks and the 1200 model in particular (and also the 3600, to my ears) actually sound very good full-range, not least bridged. The 1200 I had was very well kept, but some of them are pretty banged up from tough pro touring duties, quite naturally.

On topic: I’ve now replaced the Macro-Tech 1200 with a Lab.Gruppen FP6400 power amplifier with its variant Class ’TD’ topology for the bass/mids of my main speakers.

https://images.thomann.de/pics/prod/169835_folder.pdf

I’ll leave the distinction of this particular Class TD iteration to the more technically proficient, but it involves leaving out the high frequency switching output filter usually required with the Class D topology. Even though the FP6400 in my system is only used in the ~85-800Hz region, actively, it offers improved clarity, insight and smoothness here compared to the Macro-Tech. Several I know use the Lab.Gruppen Class TD amps full-range, and regard them in the same class as MC² Audio’s S-series amps (Class A/B) that I know quite well - which is to say, to my ears they can hold their own against much more expensive, audiophile high-end offerings. The only minor downside of the Lab.Gruppen amp is that it houses a build-in fan, but its noise level and characteristics is very benign and close to unnoticeable - nothing I consider a problem.

Some may balk at the suggestion of pro amps for home usage like Lab.Gruppen’s Class TD, but I prefer keeping an open mind and use what sounds great whatever its intended segment application. What's more: with pro amps one needn't pay more than strictly necessary, hereby saving a lot of money compared to expensively upholstered high-end amps.