450 Pound Monobloc Amplifier

It is worth pointing out that not all class D amplifiers run necessarily as cool as cukes...
There is in my opinion the possibility that as design elaboration of amplifiers based on new generation class D technology increases, some future -- and totally hypothetical implementations -- from any number of manufacturers -- may potentially generate fair amounts of heat, and therefore benefit from hefty chassis, fins or other heat dissipation mechanisms.

Even in retrospective, we can find examples of heat generaating class D amplifiers. For example, the withdrawn Rowland Continuum 500 integrated, a 44 Lbs midrange class D design based on the ICEpower 1000ASP module, generates a considerable amount of heat, and runs quite toasty to the touch.... And no, the device has regretably no cooling fins.

In this particular case, I conjecture that two circuit elements in C500 may be major contributors to heat generation... a bunch of bulk output capacitors, and a 1500W PFC-based current rectifier.

As usual, only time will tell what the future brings... Oops, I suspect I just spewed out a repetitively redundant tautology... I meant... Oh well, never mind *sigh!*

G.

i was told many years ago in audio that if you bought by weight alone you could never go wrong.i guess im old school. my real point is im sure the new class d amps are good in their own right. i myself would rather have a 350 lp pass or 400 lp krell. 15 pounds of amp just dosent sit right wirh me driving $10,000 speakers. and i dont care how good they sound.

.

i was told many years ago in audio that if you bought by weight alone you could never go wrong

Tomtab, a lot of people were told the world was flat, tomatoes were poisonous, and the mean old lady that lived in the big old house across the street was a witch....did it ever occur to you that whomever told you to buy amps by weight alone could be wrong? The operative phrase in your post was 'many years ago'. A lot has changed and improved since 'many years ago'. The 21st century is here and it's moving forward with a vengeance. I currently have huge monoblocs in my system, but I'm certainly willing to...and will explore this new switching technology. I have nothing to lose if it doesn't pan out...and a lot to gain if it works out.
.

Tomtab,
You wrote"I don't care how good they sound" here's where I'd disagree. All that would matter to me is the sound (what else is more important).I believe quality transformers and linear power supplies are crucial and will produce superior sound compared to the newer light weight amplifiers. If I'm proven wrong then that's fine and represents progress(no problem admitting that). I've yet to be persuaded based on what I've heard so far.I prefer lower power simple circuit amplifiers built with premium transformers and very stiff power supplies, this means increased weight. The final verdict is sound quality, which ever technology sounds best is what I'll own.when the light weight amplifiers sound better to me than the traditional approach, I'll happily buy one.

03-17-13: Tomtab
"i was told many years ago in audio that if you bought by weight alone you could never go wrong.i guess im old school."

Tomtab,

I, too, would recommend you use your ears when choosing an amplifier, not heft.

I hope you're not using this old school method when choosing a wife or significant other. Choosing a mate by heft could result in poor choices.

Sorry Tomtab, but I couldn't resist, no offense intended.