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Class-D or switching amps, any opinions on??

Does anybody have experience on Class-d or switching amps vs either a/b or traditional amps?? I have heard people knock them for limited ability at the low frequencies. However, I listened to a Linn amp not long ago and could not hear it wanting for anything. I want to hear a Rotel switching amp to compare. Why buy a massive 90lb amp thats a space heater if you dont have to, right???
128x128bobrock
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,433 posts
 
Timrhu - when you move up in power the bandwidth gets lower. Your PS Audio amp's module has higher (65kHz) bandwidth than more powerful 1000ASP 1kW module. It is simply because stronger Mosfets are slower. New much faster Mosfets are introduced every year and bandwidth eventually will increase.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Sam, repeat after me 'Class d is NOT digital'. repeat as necessary. read links I provided in earlier post.

Actually, most or all of the TACT products Sam referred to accept digital inputs, and provide a d/a conversion function in conjunction with a Class D power amplification function. So I think that would legitimize the fact that Tact headlines them as "digital power amplifiers."

Unfortunately, though, that probably contributes to the widespread misconception that "Class D amp" = "digital amp," which it certainly does not in the case of a more conventional Class D amplifier that has only analog inputs.

Regards,
-- Al
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Al, I won't make an issue of whatever it is you opin Sam said. He could clear up his intent with an additional post.

The ONLY amp I know of which can claim the title 'Digital' is the new NAD M2.

It operates in the digital mode, which I expect to be the real definition of 'digital amp'.
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samujohn
291 posts
 
I thought the question was "Does anybody have experience on Class-d or switching amps vs either a/b or traditional amps??" The question seemed general enough, not technical in nature. "true digital" seems to me as elusive as "true class A". Hard to get folks to agree on the term. Class D means "not an analog amp" to most of us. FWIW Tact amps can be digital input only, or may have an analog input in addition.
dob
577 posts
 
Hello Kijanki:
Many people participated in the development of class D technology. However, as journal Sound & Vision reported in "50 Greatest A/V Innovations", January 2008 issue:

"DIGITAL AMPLIFIERS

Going back to the Infinity SWAMP-1 of the mid-1970s, digital amps have had a checkered history, but they seem finally to have turned the corner in terms of reliability and performance. Highly efficient and cool-running, they promise to play a bigger role in the future."

John Ulrick at that time was chief designer of Infinity and SWAMP is his amp. Moreover, he introduced SWAMP as the first commercially available class D amplifier into the (hi-fi) audio world at CES 1974.

So without taking a credit from anyone who worked in the filed of this technology, Spectron chief designer John Ulrick is generally recognized as the father of Hi-Fi class D audio amplifiers

All The Best,
Rafael
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