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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,295 posts
 

My experience with SS, tube, and Class D amps over the years is consistent with what @atmasphere said about the nature of the various technologies over time and how that translates into good sound. I started with Class D amps over 10 years ago and it’s Class D all the way at this point for me. Tubes are fun but pretty much over that.

brauser
525 posts
 

Jeff Rowland was asked a question similar to this a few years ago and basically replied that it's what a designer does with the technology that counts as opposed to one classification being necessarily better than another. 

bigkidz
3,387 posts
 

I am reading this with great interest.  To date, we have not heard a class D amplifier that competes in sound quality.  We are open to hear something that comes close but not yet to our ears.

 

Happy Listening.

rsf507
2,323 posts
 

@bigkidz  when you say "we" have not heard a class D amplifier that competes in SQ who are "we"‽ 

bigkidz
3,387 posts
 

@rsf507 - Vu Jade Audio come to our listening room in Northern New Jersey and bring whatever you want to compare.

 

Happy Listening

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