Class A amps or Class D??: Which sounds better??

Class D is fine for sub-woofers...lots of power but no finess...Class A has little power but lots of finess

Which is really better, it is like comparing apples to oranges and ultimately depends on what type of music you generally listen to, personal tastes and power requirements. I have heard excellent sound quality from both. Just because Class D is an ideal application for subwoofers because of its efficient power delivery doesn't mean it cannot be engineered and refined to support an excellent two channel system. Please take the time to research both and hear for yourself the differences and then you will see where alot of audiphiles have been.

OK, how many of you looked up price/performance curves I mentioned?

I don't mind you going off on me, but look at the curves. Class D is about 12-15 years old. Class A is about 80 years old.

In terms of technology class A is considered mature, with are all sort of variations and embodiments (SET, push-pull transistor, etc). Class D OTHO is still developing. Hence my comments about it being a rising star. Sounds like the N-Core might be part of the next step in its development, I am sure time will tell- let's see what we are talking about in 2 years.

If you don't have confidence that it will still be the ticket in 2 years then you have an innate understanding of price/performance curves and how a technology matures.

I have confidence in sticking to my observations so far. I don't have confidence that those observations will still be the thing 2 years from now- the technology is changing that fast. From a business point of view this means I have to keep an eye on it; class D has certainly challenged conventional transistor art, such that many companies have already 'switched' over :)

I think a bottom line in this discussion is the "bottom line." From what I've seen, Class D modules can be VERY inexpensive relative to what they potentially can offer, and, weirdly, some of the manufacturers are trying to sell things and make a profit. A little tweaking here and there with added tubes or Serious High End Brand Name, and "open the vault Jeeves...here comes da cash!"

"If we are to compare apples to apples, I recommend that the class D amp have the same power as the class A amp it is compared to. I think anyone will see at that point the difference in authority."

Brilliant! Brilliant idea. I am all for it ! My single question is: MOM, WHAT IS POWER?

If its continius (rms) power as most of manufacturers show in their specs then in my honest opinion its useless and misleading "digit".

If instead of bench test signal, we will use real life music then most speakers will require, most of the time - may be 10% of continius power. May be less.

A small percentage of time music is played is "filled" with loud sound (orchestral creshendo?) which to reproduce WITHOUT (!!!!) additional distortion you need 10 - 100 times more (peak) power then continus.

Compare two amplifiers with identical peak voltage, peak current, level of distortions, BW and....duration i.e. not 10 msec. Most class A amplifiers will do it with ease! Most class D amplifiers? .... try and see

All The Best,

Simon