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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
seb_audio
11 posts
 

I recently purchased a pre-owned Classé Sigma Amp2 (class D) in mint condition to pair with my B&W 802D and am really enjoying it. I got a great deal ($1,300 - MSRP was $3,500) and it tested favorably in all reviews it was featured in. Anybody else have experience with it?

wjt3
204 posts
 

AGD Gran Vivace owner here. After 30 plus years I have found the amp to run with my Don Sachs pre or others (ss and tube pre's) The AGD powers Spendors to Spatial and Tetra speaks. 

nutty
2,864 posts
 

Julian Verker founder -Vereker considered Naim amplifiers belong to the "class B" category where bias current is minimized. Sounds fantastic  ;^)

Merrill Audio makes very nice class D. 

N

jfuquay
107 posts
 

I can’t do better than Atmasphere’s response. But I will add my 2 cents. I have built several Nelson Pass diy designs, both power amps and preamps, all Class A of course, and I use them in two different systems in my home. I will say there is a sweetness to these amps, but I will also say it could well be that it is due to their relatively low power. These are such simple circuits they are “messing” less with the signal. Pair them with a speaker in the 95 dB sensitivity range and you’ve got a winner, IMO. But move on to my listening room, and Class D shows up, a Rogue amp with their combo of a tube input stage and Class D output stage. That’s largely because I prefer Magnepan speakers for serious listening and they need power. And I see no sense in running a Class A amp with anything close to 100 watts. For one, the constant draw of electricity is contrary to any semblance of environmentally responsible energy use. And I auditioned plenty of amps, and find these hidebound descriptions of the supposed differences in amp classes comical. Honestly, it’s like your mechanic in the 1970s and 80s advising you to buy an American car with a V-8. Sure, he’s an expert, but in what? Why, fixing trouble-prone American cars, of course. Technology changes. Better ideas come along. Class D is one of those. 

teo_audio
2,197 posts
 

Truth is individual due to how hearing is constructed within the individual mind and individual body... therefore... to some real extent... it will inevitably remain JAFA.

(Just Another F-ng Amplifier)

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