Class D amp driving Thiel

Unsound

In regards to the Reps at Thiel. I find it questionable at best, of anybody who would make such a gross generalization. I seriously doubt that anybody has had the opportunity to seriously setup and audition ALL the class D amplifiers on the market today to make such a comment.

Unfortunately there are a few manufactures of class D amplifiers that have discovered the economy and availability of off the shelf components which has allowed them to produce products with less than desirable sonics and large profit margins. On the other hand there are class D amplifiers that are so uniquely designed that their abilities have been very well received. Whether these amplifiers have a desirable synergy with any or all of Thiel products is another issue.

Regardless of the Reps obvious shortcomings I still find Thiel and the importance they place on time and phase puts them in very select company in the dynamic loudspeaker industry.

Stevecham: Speaking as a musician I have yet to hear ANY form of reinforcement, back line, or playback, reproduce the timbre and or harmonic content of acoustic instruments correctly. Most home systems that are assembled to produce "warm" or "musical" aesthetic are the worst at providing accurate playback.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit a quality pre or post production facility you will be struck by the analytical nature of the playback system. Even more stunning is the degradation between the original track recording, the post production, and the media/final product your listening to at home. Some engineers I've worked with work towards bettering speed and the dynamic feel (LP like) of their work so naturally their playback systems need to reflect this input. I'm seeing more and more class D amplifiers powering these systems. Even though some of these systems are by far the most accurate systems I've ever heard it doesn't necessarily make them "right" for everybody's choice in a home system.

Class D amplification is simply another developing tool in the audio world. All amplifiers have shortcomings and class D is no different. I'm not sure what you mean by "tizz" but class D does "boom" real good. I've got a tube amplifier that doesn't produce an impressive square wave either but it sounds sweet to me.

Cheers

Vic

Stevecham: I'm must be missing something as a result of this form of communication and I'll apologize in advance if I missunderstand your original statment but it seemed you were putting down all class D amps because of the apearance of one test signal.

I doubt I would have responded had you singled out a particular class D amplifier and after seeing the test signal it somehow confirmed your listening experience. I take exception when I think I hear or read negitave generalities and I guess that's how your remark struk me.

I have four amplifiers for stereo, two of which are class D. I'm extremly happy with their preformance but unlike the tube and the linear solid state amplifiers a great deal of care was taken with regards to VAC quality and cable selection before they came into their own.

Auh, I just got a new QSC PowerLight 380 for my Electric Bass rig and while it's not exactly intended for High Fidelity it definitely puts a grip on things. This is my third QSC and it never fails, people can be very hard on my gear with loading and unloading but I've never had a failure in the fifteen years I've been using their gear.

Another established and reputable amplifier manufacture who has embraced class D. Below is a description from their website


Products / Amplifiers

PowerLight 3 Series
Professional Power Amplifiers

The PowerLight® 3 Series is designed for the most demanding live audio users, whether in touring rigs or fixed installations. The most requested features of the PowerLight 2 series have been upgraded to deliver "the ultimate analog amplifier", while the QSC Dataport ensures full compatibility with advanced digital processing and QSControl. Three models range in power from 1250 watts to 4000 watts per channel at two ohms, all in two-rack space chassis that are only 15.6" (40 cm) deep and 22 lbs (10 kg).

In addition to higher power, the PowerLight 3 Series offers higher input voltage, selectable sensitivity, and easily adjusted rear panel switches with color coded LED indicators. For those users who simply want a high performance amplifier to go with their existing processor or console, the PowerLight 3 Series is an ideal choice, offering high power, excellent value, and zero signal latency. When complete integration of amplifier control, monitoring and DSP is desired, the PowerLight 3 Series is fully compatible with the QSControl BASIS networked audio platform, with its comprehensive drag and drop DSP functionality. Simpler DSP requirements can be met with the DSP-4 processing module.


PowerLight 3 Power Amplifiers
Watts at Clipping
Watts per channel
Model 8 ohms 4 ohms 2 ohms
PL325 500 850 1250
PL340 800 1250 2000
PL380 1500 2500 4000*
EIA 1 kHz 1% THD
* Burst mode testing required due to AC service current limitations
The flagship of the PowerLight 3 Series is the new 8000 watt PL380. This highly refined, all-switchmode amplifier incorporates nearly 40 years of QSC engineering experience, resetting expectations for Class D audio quality. The PL380 combines a pair of 4000 watt Class D amplifier channels with the well proven PowerLight supply, to deliver more than twice as much audio power as previous 2 rack unit PowerLight amplifiers. Reactive "back EMF" from the speaker is recycled to the power supply, and unmatched "plug-to-plug" efficiency of 85% keeps AC power needs to a minimum, while delivering more energy to the speaker.

Years of patient development have resulted in outstanding 20 - 20 kHz audio performance, plus complete protection from normal hazards of the trade. Even simple features such as dependably silent, surge-free on/off switching indicate the special care taken to keep things safely under control. The most pronounced "sonic signature" of the PL380 is one of immense headroom, sailing through even the most difficult loads with no signs of stress or change of tonality.

In keeping with normal QSC design standards, back-to-front airflow provides up to twice as much long-term average power as most competitors, without dumping hot air into the rack. All PowerLight 3 models are built in the same chassis size, with common back panel layouts to facilitate easy racking and hookup.