Class T vs. Class D Digital Amps

Are you studying for a degree in alphabet soup?

If so I'm failing since I left out Class A and Class A/B!

>> Anyone think this is the wrong direction to be going?

oh yes! I do!
every class-D power amp I have heard so far is a POS. The list is short 'cuz the ones (listed below) that I heard turned me off so much that my motivation to keep going on to hear more renditions of this technology is really low. However, I do admit that there could be a rendition of a class-D amp that might appeal to me. From the posts made by member Ar_t, it seems that his amps might be better sounding? No idea so far! So, far the verdict is that all of them are sonically less than appealing! Yes, the (short) list: Rowland Model 201, Hypex - I think that it was the UcD180 kit that was built by my DIY audio friend & Channel Is D100.
My reason for not being drawn into these class-D amps' sound is that they produce great sound but very little music. They have all the audiophile qualities - transparency, great bass, high frequency extension to name a few but the program material played thru them does not sound like music i.e. there is hardly any soul to the music. Listening thru these class-D amps is not an emotional experience, which a requirement for me. The word "dry" comes to mind. All the above mentioned audiophile attributes are a means to an end, which is to render the music so that it is an emotional experience; otherwise, they just remain as bullet items/adjectives on a sheet of paper. Of, course IMHO. YMMV.

Just because you don't like them...........

Let me say this: if you want emotions, get a girl friend. [joke]

OK, "emotion" is not the forte of Class D amps. They aren't for everyone. You may like them, you may not. I'm not going to apologise for making them.

(Before you ask.....no, I don't have a girl friend, and I could care less about "emotion" in my music. I just want something that I can listen to without wanting running for the ketoprofen after listening to it. I hope Albert Porter isn't reading this.)

Class T is the marketing gibberish that Tripath uses to describe their technology. Tried them, did not like them. Engineering-wise. They may be better by now.

I love my tripath amps. I have sampled quite a few. For what they typically cost anywhere from $25.00 up to $1,000.00 in my opinion nothing comes close. Of course certain parameters have to be met in order to acheive emotionally engaging music. For one use sensitive speakers. I use Fostex FE103E and Fostex FE127E, no crossovers or filters, not even a notch filter. No tweeters. Just a good modified M&K VX-4 passive subwoofer. The sound is just like live. The music flows and the artist placement whether it be a musician or a band can easily be perceived. Drums in the back of the vocalist instead of in front like most speakers and tube or SS configurations. Also use a tube buffer between the amp and source. This takes away that dry sound and replaces it with a tube coherance that makes the music flow. I love the DIY Paradise Charlize with the hollow core inductors. Of couurse the Art Taylor Ampbox is also very good. As is any of the highly acclaimed Redwine products but be prepared to spend a little coin there. I usually make my own speakers and have had exceptional results although any Fostex designed speakers will do, as will Audio Nirvanna or Coral Flat fives. And don't let me forget opt for the Sealed Lead Acid Battery mod. It is a pain in the butt to remember to recharge but the reward is in the blackness of the completely quiet backround from which your music blossoms.
MD

I have Flying Mole class D amps and really like the sound of them combined with my Zu Druids. I have done a few mods to them, which improved the sound, but I think they sound pretty good stock as well. I have a Supratek Chenin preamp on order to give more emotion to the music, and allow me to play my LPs again, but the sound as-is is very clear and crisp, with a black background and kick-ass bass.