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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
bigkidz
3,386 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
3,386 posts
 

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

 

Happy Listening

jaymark's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jaymark
512 posts
 

LSA Voyager GAN 350 wpc class D is a kick ass amplifier.  I have had multiple highly regarded class A amps and tube amps.  Not yet heard other GAN class D amps..

goheelz's avatar
goheelz
297 posts
 

Let’s get more specific. Which specific class-D power amplifiers compete favorably with the best amplifiers by, say, Audio Research (tube) or McIntosh (tube and/or solid state) or Pass Labs (solid state)? 

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