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Class D Amp For 'Stats?

For a number of reasons, I am considering the purchase of a Class D amp (or amps) to drive my Sound Lab A-1s. Most uses of such amps detailed here and elsewhere seem to have been with 'conventional' speakers, which obviously present very different impedance loads than a full range electrostatic (approximately 40 ohms in the bass, dropping to 2 ohms at the highest frequencies). I would be most interested to hear of members' experiences.
curriemt11

Showing 2 responses by ar_t

ar_t
165 posts
 
"Switching amplifiers have an output filter and, this filter will interact to some degree with the load impedance."

I have said this many times before, and I am glad that someone finally concurs.

'Stats are not a purely capacitive load, although they do have a great deal of capacitive reactance. Most of the new Class D amps will handle the capacitance, but the low value of the absolute impedance may present a problem. For reasons stated above.

Anyone who thinks that "all" Class D amps are mechanical have not heard any of the new genre. Period.
ar_t
165 posts
 
The UcD based amps do have a slight interaction. Less than ICEpower based amps. I have extensive experience with both.

The gang at Hypex is confident that it will handle low-Z loads. Tell the truth, I have never tested them that way. (We only offer the UcD version for HT applications, and you most likely won't find 'stats or Apogees there.)
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