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)?
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.
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- 118 posts total
I was more curious about the differences, good and bad between class A and D. Assuming that we are talking about amps that were designed for the best performance at their price range, it is a closer race to me about which I prefer. In fact, it matters as well about the amp matching the system to begin with, as I am finding out. In the best combinations that I have to offer in my system, each seems to hold its own. There may have been little competition years ago, but the gap is quickly narrowing. It makes me envy those who have the opportunity to own multiple systems. FWIW, I just built a class D amp designed by Pete Millet, as well as another type of class D amp designed by Peter Nelson IIRC. Each of them sound different. And different sounding still is my class A amp designed and built by John Dee, formerly from Sudgen Audio. I just feel fortunate to have had the experience. |
Specifically, we are referring to amps like the Merrill Audio Element 116 Merrill Audio - Element 116 Power Amplifier Monoblocks the AGD Audio Gran Vivace AGD Gran Vivace Monoblock · AGD Productions the Nuprime Evolution One The NuPrime Evo One Mono Amplifiers - Review & First Listening Session - SONIC UNITY the Technics SE-R1 Technics SE-R1 Stereo Power Amplifier – AudioCubes.com the Theta Digital Prometheus to name a few. Take a listen when you get a chance an let us know what you think. |
- 118 posts total