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Class D amps that are superior to all or most?

Recently, I have heard about some Class D amps that may be close to the best there is regardless of class. Certainly, this technology has been in development for decades. The main issue has always been the switching power supply. In this regard, I have taken notice of AGD. They have created a whole new power supply that “switches” at a frequency 100 times the normal silicon based MOSFET. The designer uses a gallium nitride based PS. Interesting, it is enclosed in the KT88 glass envelope that sits on top of his amps. I am aware of two more pricey amps that seem to be also at the top- the Solution and the Merrill. There must be others that compete for the title. After my thread, “Is there a SS amp that can satisfy a SET guy?”, I am still on the quest.
Don’t want to spend $50K!
mglik
ricevs
1,543 posts
 
Kuribo stated:
"You really are clueless if you think all Bruno did with the Purifi design is "tweak" a few parts."

Where did I state this? I already stated (maybe you cannot read?) that tweaking is ANYTHING that improves the sound and performance....including circuit changes. Bruno makes it clear what design changes he has done to take his Purifi module up a tick or so over the NC500/NC1200 (in his opinion....not shared by everyone). One thing he kept using are the Polyprop caps from Wima as his output filter caps......trouble is, Wima has gone back to putting STEEL leads on the caps to save a millionth of a cent on each cap. So all the output filter caps on a Purifi module have steel leads. One of the mods I do to the Purifi module is to remove all 6 caps and dremel off the steel leads and put 6N copper leads on and then test the caps using a signal generator and scope to identify the outside foil. I mark the outside foil and then re-install the caps so the outside foil is oriented to ground. This gives noticeably better sound. No, it will not make it measure any different.

Trusting your ears is beneficial to getting great sound. Trusting the opinion of those that do not listen will just get you bitten (mosquitoes hurt!).
mglik OP
914 posts
 
I well remember the Spectron Musician III and II.
The latter being better.
It was one of the first Class D amps. It also used an analog ps.
A quite large transformer. It sounded great. There were some failure issues though. And the company was a bit shady. My system at the time was miles away from what I now have. So I can’t really give a clear opinion.
The Starke Sound amp looks very interesting. Combining an analog ps should be a significant thing. But since AGD I am just not interested in any other amp. It is easy to say that the search is over!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,997 posts
 
I will go out on a limb and say Class D amps as a group outshine most of the others as a group. The lesser ones are still good for the cost and the best ones compete with the best.

I say that as an owner running class d amps that range in cost from ~ $80 to $6000 retail and having heard many other amps of all types ranging up to 6 digits retail. 
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
@mapman What are the best Class D in your opinion? I have a Pascal based D-Sonic M3a 800s that I use for bright headphones (it likes power). It works great but I am interested to know about others.
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Can someone answer this for me please, especially George...

Since all amps have sonic defects and no amp is perfect, why can't people with class D amps just live with those defects inherent to that topology and people with class A amps live with class A defects and people with class A/B amps live with class A/B defects and so on?

Like I said, no amp is perfect. So why all the hate for class D?  My class D amplifier, and others I've had, does a lot of things amazingly well.
Like women, my amplifier has some defects but I'm willing to live with it.

George?...
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