450 Pound Monobloc Amplifier

I am very interested to see, over the next 2-10 years, how the established big names in high-end audio react to the already very serious threat that class d amplifiers represent. From my perspective, the writing is on the wall as far as the future direction of high-end technology for power amplification:

1. The current class A, A/B and tube amps are large, heavy, expensive, inefficient(20-55% efficient) devices that emit copious amounts of heat. This 450 lb Boulder monobloc amp may merely be the latest epitome of this group. These amps are probably nearing the end of their life cycle.

2. The current class D amps are small, light, inexpensive or relatively so,highly efficient (approx.90% efficient) devices that emit very low amounts of heat. These amps are at the onset of their life cycle and future improvements are likely.

If you owned a high-end amplifier company, which technology would you stake your future on?
Mapman made a very good point earlier in pointing out that the leaders in class D will probably be newer, less established companies. There are a few amp manufacturers, like Rowland, Rogue and ARC for example, that have read the writing on the wall and have begun offering class D amps of their own recently. I would not be suprised if a few others venture into class D,too.
But, as we all know, in the end it will come down to which ones sound the best. I'm going to refrain from commenting on this since we will all be voting on this soon enough with our ears and our wallets. But I will say that it looks like the class D train is just pulling away from the station.
Just my 2 cents.

Thanks,
Tim

im betting the 450 lp amps will toast the 15 lp amps' what would you rather have running you speakers, a v12 1000 cubic inch engine with 300 hp or a 4 cylinda 90 cubic inch engine with 300 hp?? think of who would last longer

Mitch4t, the size and weight of the heat sinks on the Rowland 625 and 725 series amps are used to dissipate heat from the power output devices and are necessary due to their operation in a high bias Class A/B design. It is a common misconception that all amps using switched mode power supplies are Class D, while the type of power supply design and the bias/operation of the output stages are two completely separate design choices. A power amp with a switching output stage (also called Class D) is a highly efficient design that does not generally require large heat sinks for the switching output devices. When an amp design uses a Class A or A/B output stage large heat sinks are generally needed to dissipate heat from the output devices, regardless of the power supply design type. Hopefully this helps to clarify the issue. Good listening to all!

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Hey Tim, I think you are right on the money. I believe with a decent amount of money thrown at R&D, the switching amp could be to linear amps what digital cameras did to film cameras.

Bill, thanks for the explanation.
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@ Tomtab,good point with your post 3-16-13,I believe class D amps is essentually the same to me as sacd technology,it came,it was good,it went the way as vhs video tapes!gone!,class D amps may be good,I do not doubt that!,I am saying,however,That it may be a passing fad,we all seen alot of technologys over the years that were quite good!,they slowly faded away!cheers!