2. amps-preamps
  3. 175659-171875

Class A or Class D solid-state amplifiers (modern designs)

Hey guys.

 

Class A is supposedly superior. Something to do with a conduction angle of 360 degrees...so the entire signal gets processed in one go without crossover distortion.

But in terms of sound quality (subjective enjoyment) is there a benefit to Class A? Can class D provide the same level of enjoyment?

 

The dealer I’m talking to says that really nice Class A amplifiers are designed for "reference quality" meaning completely true to the real life performance.

 

Let’s compare and contrast. Which one is technically better?

 

In other words, could you have equal technical performance and quality in a Class D amp?

 

- Jack.

jackhifiguy
Post removed 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,284 posts
 

You will pay a premium in TCO for a good power guzzling Class A amp. No need these days IMHO. So many practical and affordable and great sounding Class Ds in various kinds of integrated devices.  Class D is where it’s at these days and in the future.  Pick some and listen for yourself. Also consider features and practicality if that matters to you.

whitefishpoint1175's avatar
whitefishpoint1175
169 posts
 

Lots of great Class D out there now.

Bel Canto.

Cyrus

AVM

NAD (okay)

Rogue

Just to name a few.

gakerty's avatar
gakerty
175 posts
 

If I were in the market for a new amp, I'd definitely be looking at Atma-Sphere's new GaN class D monoblocks.  If there's anyone who will do class D justice, it's Ralph Karsten.  If they really give his tube amps a run for their money, then his class D might be very high level performers, and they aren't terribly expensive at $~5-6K.  For 2 channel, I've only owned one class D, the NAD C388.  It was very neutral, albeit a bit "dry" sounding in the treble, and perhaps a bit anemic in the midrange.  I don't think all class D is like that though.  It's all in the implementation, I have no doubt that some class D out there sound fantastic, I just have no interest in it at this point in the game.   

noske
783 posts
 

What is TCO?

More to discover