Michael_moskowich,
Rowland uses SMPS in all class D models (including integrated). In higher models like 312 or integrated Continuum he uses additional PFC unit. For the rest like 102,201,501 you can buy external PFC unit. Such unit supplies about 450VDC and you don't need any DC/DC converter (term tossed often to impress people) because B&O module can be supplied directly with 450VDC.
There is more than 100 companies manufacturing class D amps any many of the use SMPS. Example of company that uses only SMPS is Bel Canto, NuForce, Red Dragon.
New Rowland high end class AB amps costing $48k also use SMPS. Read this thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1263307524&read&keyw&zzcriterion
For class D amplifier SMPS is obvious. If you think that class D amp is good enough then SMPS, that is the same thing (class D), should be as well.
I know, you know all that and am just restating but as for the rest of the world using only linear power supply - I don't know. I wouldn't risk such statements without checking. Others with more experience can perhaps help but I remember that Linn amplifiers have SMPS and are not a class D amps. Even some preamps like Rowland Capri use SMPS. I can tell you that linear power supply is easy to design in comparison to SMPS. In addition there is natural resistance as it was at the beginning to class D amps. It is very difficult to change opinion of people (like you) so designers design for current demand (I don't blame them).
One more thing - PFC is not conversion but correction. It is beneficial for power company but not so much for the end user (lower overall efficiency since PFC unit has its own efficiency <1). What counts is just whole bunch of electrolytic caps at high voltage fortifying SMPS but the same thing (extra capacitors) could be included in SMPS to start with. Again "PFC correction" is more impressive than just "extra caps". Bel Canto has similar thing inside of cabinet but they call it "increased energy storage". Their amp Ref1000M made Stereophile class A rating. There is not so much sound difference from the original Ref1000 but it allows some critics who made previously stupid reviews to save face and reevaluate (Martin Colloms gave this amp score of less than one of 10).
Rowland uses SMPS in all class D models (including integrated). In higher models like 312 or integrated Continuum he uses additional PFC unit. For the rest like 102,201,501 you can buy external PFC unit. Such unit supplies about 450VDC and you don't need any DC/DC converter (term tossed often to impress people) because B&O module can be supplied directly with 450VDC.
There is more than 100 companies manufacturing class D amps any many of the use SMPS. Example of company that uses only SMPS is Bel Canto, NuForce, Red Dragon.
New Rowland high end class AB amps costing $48k also use SMPS. Read this thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1263307524&read&keyw&zzcriterion
For class D amplifier SMPS is obvious. If you think that class D amp is good enough then SMPS, that is the same thing (class D), should be as well.
I know, you know all that and am just restating but as for the rest of the world using only linear power supply - I don't know. I wouldn't risk such statements without checking. Others with more experience can perhaps help but I remember that Linn amplifiers have SMPS and are not a class D amps. Even some preamps like Rowland Capri use SMPS. I can tell you that linear power supply is easy to design in comparison to SMPS. In addition there is natural resistance as it was at the beginning to class D amps. It is very difficult to change opinion of people (like you) so designers design for current demand (I don't blame them).
One more thing - PFC is not conversion but correction. It is beneficial for power company but not so much for the end user (lower overall efficiency since PFC unit has its own efficiency <1). What counts is just whole bunch of electrolytic caps at high voltage fortifying SMPS but the same thing (extra capacitors) could be included in SMPS to start with. Again "PFC correction" is more impressive than just "extra caps". Bel Canto has similar thing inside of cabinet but they call it "increased energy storage". Their amp Ref1000M made Stereophile class A rating. There is not so much sound difference from the original Ref1000 but it allows some critics who made previously stupid reviews to save face and reevaluate (Martin Colloms gave this amp score of less than one of 10).
