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

Amplifier performance and synergy depends on the other components, and cables in a system. I have read alot about the advantages of Class A.amps Though an older amp design, do class A amps necessarily sound better than Class D digital amps like Nu-Force, Bel Canto, and Wyred4Sound?? These class D amps supposedly run more efficiently, with less heat and noise and are smaller in size.

I have a friend who has a Musical Fidelity A3CR power amp and a Bel canto pre-amp, and a pair of Spendor floorstanders. The MF amp is at least 10 years old, and no longer made. I have listened to the amp in his system, and it does sound very good. Most noteably is its across the board smoothness. However, I think its performance is system dependent, and might be a liability in other systems. Would like to hear comments and opinions about these two amp "designs", and if one sounds better than the other, OR JUST DIFFERENT.

BTW, I am not sure that owning a 10 year old amp like the MF A3CR is a good idea, despite its class A rating, and a few positive consumer reviews I have seen. Thank you
sunnyjim
dob
577 posts
 
Hi 2chnleben:

"The new class D: read about it here... "

I have read it and I understand that NCore is new amplifier on the market (excellent!) but how it is "new class.."? What is so different in itsdesign which make it "new class D" ?

Shell I sell now my Spectrons or....wait a bit ?

Thank you
Rafael
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,849 posts
 
Wait a bit. Think about price/performance curves. Unless you like buying new amps every six months.
dob
577 posts
 
" Think about price/performance curves"

Atmasphere, if your comment was addressed to me ...I was just teasing with every so often "THE class D amplifier of the DAY" attitude.

If I would change my current amps, I would install central air (if possible in 100 years old townhouse) and buy OTL - yours of that of Jud Barber of JOule-Ekectra....well and than had to change my speakers (B&W 802D).... probably not, sorry. There is no reason really to change my Spectrons - I invested bazzilions in various upgardes and...verrrrry happy with my sound. As a matter of fact I LUV IT (to put it modestly)

Rafael
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,849 posts
 
:)

B&W 802s don't really work with tubes anyway...
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,322 posts
 
Atmasphere is right that Class D amp technology is likely still evolving along the technology maturity curve, certainly it is newer than other types relatively speaking. But it has been around a while and has reached a fairly mature state at this point I would say, at least based on my experience so far. I did consider waiting about 2 years back when I splurged on my current Class Ds, but hey tthey seemed like the best solution available for me at the time so I decided to take the plunge. You only live once TTBOMK. One can never be certain what lies ahead.
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