Class D and High Efficiency Speakers?

There is really no inherent sonic advantage to Class D, aside from the ability to deliver a LOT of power, and a whole lot of potential problems, most if not all that can be handled by proper implementation. But, if one does not need a whole lot of power, why go Class D?

I got to hear a $14,000 Rowland Class D amp on my friends 106 db/w efficient speaker system. The sound was quite unsatisfactory -- no top end air, oddly sterile and bland sound, lacking in full harmonic structure -- this in comparison to some very good pushpull tube amps (45s). Tubes, generally speaking, sound terrific at low power outputs and have problems with higher power; transistors seem to be just the opposite.

There are a lot of very good speakers that need a bit of power; a Class D amp would be more suited for that application.

I am running a pair of NuForce 9 SE V2 to drive my Coincident Eclipse 111. The speakers have an efficiency of 94 db. The sound is spectacular. I chose the NuForce amps for the quality price ratio.

I would suggest taking up NuForce on their offer of a free (or almost free) trial of the amps to hear them in your own system. FYI, they are really not a class D amp. See the web site for further explanation.

I can't think of a good reason to use class d amps with horns unless you're the adventorous type.

IMO you'd lose much of the "warmth" without the tubes.

Borrow some digital amps and give a listen. It may be your cup of tea.

High Efficiency speakers in general prefer an amplifier with a relatively high source impedance, due to the reactive nature of high efficiency drivers.

The use of low output impedance amplifiers with high efficiency drivers is the reason why horns have a reputation for being strident.

If you really are intent on this, add an 8-ohm resistor in series with the speaker load. True, you will dissipate likely up to 50% of your power in the resistor, but it will simulate (somewhat) a higher source impedance.

Or- you could get a tube amp. You won't need a lot of power. In the case of a high efficiency speaker, a good tube amp will clean the clock of any class D amplifier made.

09-18-08: Audiofeil
I can't think of a good reason to use class d amps with horns unless you're the adventorous type.

IMO you'd lose much of the "warmth" without the tubes.

Borrow some digital amps and give a listen. It may be your cup of tea.

But don't form your opinion until you give a listen to the ridiculously affordable Onkyo A-9555. Onkyo's design has some patented circuits to specifically address the problem of switching noise in class D amps.

Robert Deutsch reviewed the A-9555 for Stereophile into a pair of very high sensitivity Avantgarde Acoustics Uno horn speakers. He makes special mention of how he often has to chase down hum and buzzes when reviewing upstream electronics because of the Avantgarde's sensitivity. When he hooked up the Onkyo, however, he asked himself, "Is it on?" It was. So unlike most, it can be a good match for horns. And its power rating should be a good match as well.

Unlike pretty much any other class D on the planet, *once it's broken in,* the Onkyo is known for a relaxed presentation and a smooth, engaging treble. Even the little summary blurb in S'phile's Recommended Components section compares the Onkyo's *resolution of low level detail* to tube amps.

I have one and have to agree. It reminds me of the high priced class A/AB amps (Ayre, earlier Rowland) more than anything, and replaced two highly regarded vintage amps--the Amber Series 70 and VSP Labs Trans Mos 150.