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
spenav
424 posts
 

@bigkidz

My previous post answers your question. Why do you want Ralph to advertise for other people? Would you go to GM and ask them who else makes good trucks?

yyzsantabarbara
4,800 posts
 

I have some really nice Class A amps. Though my fav amp is still the cheaper non-Class A Benchmark AHB2. I just wish it had more power, though in Mono configuration it is high powered for speakers above 2 Ohms. It has that clean Class A sound and is very smooth. I feel it is just the most crystal clean sound I have heard from any amp.

The stock LSA Voyager GAN 350, mentioned a few times above, is good but after the very low-cost mods by EVS it sounded a lot like the AHB2, my highest compliant for an amp. I sold the Voyager since I liked the AHB2 a little more. I kind of wish I kept it as a backup.

As posted above the AHB2 is not Class D.

rajugsw
214 posts
 

Class D Orchard Audio Ultra Amplifier. No other will do for me. 

jackhifiguy OP
151 posts
 

Thank You to all for the insight. Goes to show that my friend was right. This is easily the best audiophile forum on the web.

lancelock
1,093 posts
 

I have been listening to the Coda #16 with it’s first 100 watts of class A for almost a year now and recently brought in AGD Audion mono blocks. The Coda, to me is the pinnacle of class A goodness. I love the dynamic power. The AGD mono’s are right there with amazing speed and dynamic force of their own. I continue to switch between the two and right now I am leaning toward the AGD as my keepers. Not to mention the AGD is almost half the price of the Coda. So the Coda might be for sale soon.

More to discover