Purifi Class D: Junk?


So, from the previous thread about high-end class D the Purifi module was brought up. I decided to get a cheap example from VTV, a simple stereo unit with a single Purifi module and matching Hypex SMPS. Standard input buffer. I got it in yesterday. First impression wasn't what I was expecting: weak, congested dynamics is what stood out to me. I expected greater expression through my ProAc D30Rs. The other problems such as poor soundstage, thin / boring character, etc, I marked up to needing burn-in before evaluating. So it's been 24 hours, I would still expect to get at least the high control / damping of high end class D and dynamic power, but it's just not present.

Could it be an impedance mismatch? Other manufacturers selling the Purifi with their custom input buffers are reporting 47k Ohms. VTV doesn't say in the manual or on the site. I checked the Purifi data sheet which reports...2.2k Ohms on SE???? That can't be right?? That's absurdly low! Am I reading the right spec? My preamp has an output impedance of 230 Ohms. Can someone confirm that the stock Purifi has this ultra-low input impedance?
madavid0
@speakermaster  - what do you consider a "good high-current AB type amplifier"?
Class D amps are only current limited by the designer. You can make a super high current class D amp (you just need higher voltage rails and larger fast power supplies and maybe a couple more output transistors.....and great output coil). Class D idles at practically zero current....because its output stage is switching at high speed......does not need to be "on" all the time. What you hear in any class D amp is the designers knowledge...nothing more, nothing less. Tons of high end speakers use class D amps for the bass. The big Von Schweikerts for example.....no loss of dynamics there. There are tons of things in any amp that effect the dynamics.....one bad part and dynamics are history......and this is true for high-current class AB types as well. This is why all class A/B amps sound different.....in the bass/dynamics and otherwise. I do various things in my mods to the VTV Purifi amp that allow for better bass and dynamics and speed. There is no end to tweaking.....no end to knowledge. The Purifi module does 400 watts into 4 ohm...and over 500 watts into 2 ohms (25 amps).......this is enough for most speakers but getting it all out of the module in the most tweaky, dynamic and great sounding way is an art.
02-21-2021 7:17pmWhat you are hearing is what class d amps do they produce high wattage with low current to save money on energy and expense of manufacture to make more money for the manufacturer and they will not have the required current to dive the proac speakers you have they like a good high current ab type amplifier i am glad you did not spend much money on the class d amp you dodged the bullet with that decision.


More making things up. I really don't consider 25 amps that limited. That's 1250 watts into 2 ohms. Class D amps primarily have thermal limits because real world music is not 1000W continuous, ever. That's a magazine test.
Class D amps are only current limited by the designer
Show us just one that’s not, and can almost double it’s rms measured wattage from 4ohm to 2ohm. The true indication of not current limiting, like many good A/B bjt amp.

The Purifi module does 400 watts into 4 ohm...and over 500 watts into 2 ohms (25amps)
This is pathetic to show off it’s current ability, some NAD’s can do that current, it’s actually limiting, should read closer to 800w into 2ohms if it were good at current into low impedances.

A 175w- 8ohm Gryphon will do
350w - 4ohm
700w - 2ohm
1600w - 1ohm
9000w - 1/4ohm
NOW this IS an amp that does current without limiting.
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