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Class D amplifiers. What's the future look like?

I have a number of amplifiers: Luxman C900U, Bryston 4BSST2, Audio Research VSI 60 Integrated, NAD C298 and some other less noteworthy units. As I swap them in and out of my main system, I've come to the conclusion my very modest NAD C298 is about all I really need. Granted if I had extremely hard to drive speakers, I might be better with the Bryston or Luxman, but driving my Harbeth 40.2 speakers, the NAD is just fine. 

I thought a while ago that class D would quickly overtake amplifier design type mainly due to profit margin which I think would be much greater than A/B and tube. I'm not saying the other design styles would go away, just that D would be the most common style. 

Clearly my prediction is not panning out, at least in the mid and high-end audio world and I'm wondering why? It seems companies such as Bryston, Luxman, McIntosh, Hegel and so many others are sticking by A/B. I'm no "golden ears" guy, but is the perceived sound issue(weather real or imaginary) still holding D back? Maybe my assumption of profit margin is not correct? Maybe the amplifier manufacturers are experimenting with D, but keeping tight lipped until release? Perhaps brand loyalists don't want change similar to what happened with "new coke". What else am I missing?

 

128x12861falcon
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

@inna

He does not prefer his class D to his and many others tube amps. He won’t fool me.

You may be wrong with that comment. I believe Ralph has stated that he is using his new GaN class D amplifiers as his main/primary choice. Also if I am not mistaken, his primary speakers are very high efficient/sensitivity Classic Audio  horn speakers.

Charles

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,326 posts
 

Granted if I had extremely hard to drive speakers
 

Some Class D manufacturers claim 2 Ohm stable. Besides, how many folks have speakers that dip to 2 or 1 Ohm for considerably amounts of time. I want to try one with my ears, and mind open.

inna
7,171 posts
 

If he really prefers his class D amps to tube amps then he fools himself.

In any case, he is on this forum for business purposes, whatever he says - remember that.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

@inna

If he really prefers his class D amps to tube amps then he fools himself.

In any case, he is on this forum for business purposes, whatever he says - remember that

For my listening needs high quality tube amplification (Low-moderate power genre) is my best option. Simply my individual conclusion, we all differ in preferences. I won’t question another’s motives. Which ever amplifiers Ralph prefers he’s certainly capable of explaining a particular preference. One can accept his rationale or not.

Charles

 

alexatpos
1,172 posts
 

Ralph certainly needs no advocate to ’defend’ him, but could not stay silent after post that is written above.Whatever Ralphs ’purpouse’ might be, I have learned a lot reading his posts. He even found the time to answer my private msg.about hi fi gear that was not produced by his company. On the other hand, I am quite certain that nobody will find the ’purpose’ of the posts written by ’author’above...

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