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Thinking of replacing my Bat spaceheater with class D, real world thoughts please

Ok so I know there are already lots of threads on class D both negative and positive

As I have had a very positive result with replacing the ss amps in my ht rig with a single tiny Nuforce class D amp I was tempted to look into the same for my stereo rig.

This is a little more difficult as my present amp is a BAT VK600SE, 120LB of muscle and heat.

Now I am in love with my present sound but still am very curious if class D could do anything for me as it certainly did in the ht rig although those ss amps were not in the BAT league to start with.

So I would like to hear from people who have actually gone this route, replaced their expensive, heavy, power consuming amps with tiny little cold running boxes and what their results were.

Was it uplifting, about the same or make you wish you had never heard of class D!

128x128uberwaltz

Showing 6 responses by asvjerry

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,263 posts
 
It always amuses me that in the whole 'to D or not to D' discussion that the simplest answer to 'will I like it (the sound) or not' that it never occurs to anyone to simply 'cheap out' with a simple test....

Buy an inexpensive unit.  Flog the daylights out of it, like I did.  Find out for yourself if it's worth going further with it.

For sure, an inexpensive unit won't be as 'nuanced' as a more expensive one, but at least one would have the opportunity to stick your toe into the water before you cannonball in....

Just my 2 cents of (perhaps) sense...;)

Personally, I like them.  But I like all types of amps.  Viva la difference. *S*
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,263 posts
 
There you go, a relatively quick, down 'n dirty, and cheap test.  Throw various 'n sundry selections and media (CD, LP. etc.) at it, turn it up 'n down, play with the eq..   Even if it's not 'perfect', you'll at least get familiar with it. *S*

Sounds like a fun afternoon or evening project.  And a rationale for making some noise. *L*
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,263 posts
 
Now, that's a new twist never considered.  Using a BAT as a literal 'space heater' and a D as a means to minimize the AC's load....*L*

For a desert dweller, that would make sense, goes with the seasonal clothes migration in the closets. *G*

It does beg the question:  How long and how loud does one run a BAT to get a rise of 1 F.?  It would definitely make the molecules in a space excited in one way, at least....;)

Curious minds go on being curious....;)
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,263 posts
 
Y'know....I'd hook up one of those 'puter fans to each one, set up so they come on when they're running.  Pick for low db...and they're cheap...

I do that for my amps and receivers, fan-force air through them.  I do it just to 'keep my cool', so to speak.  You could use it to utilize that heat as well.

I don't even hear them running....
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,263 posts
 
Sounds like it's high time to begin doing some 'blind hearing tests' on D vs. 
'anything else'....

D will win eventually, if only by sheer weight of numbers and application.  I'd bet on this, but I sincerely doubt I'll live long enough to witness the end of the 'contest'.  A, A/B and all will live on, but only as 'curiosities',  as those of us who know them well enough succumb to the inevitable.

It's already well known that stasis is self-defeating.  You either grow, or you will die.  You can only adjust the span, not the outcome. ;)

Get behind the new tech, and make it become what you want.  Put your dollars where your interests lie.  It's always worked before...look at the thing you're typing into for an obvious example....;)
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,263 posts
 
Class G?

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