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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
rixthetrick's avatar
rixthetrick
1,060 posts
 

another +1 for the LSA Voyager GaN 350

My friend asked for a recommendation to replace his Cambridge amplifier, traded it in for the LSA Voyager and thank goodness it was so much better.

I'll most likely go to GaN myself, just going to let designers play with it some more. I read with interest on the Atmosphere monos but my speakers are a little thirsty, and I'm running 2 x 400watt (not that I run them at 100%) at the mo.

whitefishpoint1175's avatar
whitefishpoint1175
169 posts
 

Bel Canto e One REF501S is very nice class d and very affordable.

 

jdpalmer1's avatar
jdpalmer1
29 posts
 

See if you can find an Audio Research DS225 or DS450.  Class D, but their own design - not just ICE modules in a different box.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,834 posts
 

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.

I have. FWIW class D amps vary at least as much in sound as tube amps do.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

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

@jackhifiguy by what measure would we consider equal “technical performance” and “quality”?

 

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