Class D is just Dandy!

Erik,
Great informative post, with accurate descriptions of the objective differences of the sound of Class D vs. other fine amps.   You nailed it.  Class D amps do not presently have the euphonic sound of the best Class A solid state or tube amps, but I think they are exceeding accurate, so one must pick their poison, so to speak.  I dig "green" gear that needs minute amounts of electricity to make my speakers sing and doesn't heat up my listening room in the blistering hot CA summers which was always the curse of my many tube amps, running a half dozen KT88's hard.  To my ears, a tube preamp and solid state amp, including Class D amps, is a match made in audio heaven.  Cheers.     

I have had Nuforce Reference 9 V2, the V3Se and Now Nuforce/Nuprime Reference 20 monos. They have bested in my opinion all Class A and A/B designs that I have heard with high end Pass Labs coming closest to reflecting the beauty of music. Also Nuforce best of the 5 Class D amps that I have heard which were all great in the bass but not as liquid and natural in mids and highs. Plus I do love the size, weight (which allows me to easily take them to other's homes and compare to their amps or ship for mods) and continuous on because of low power use. Have found class D to be sensitive to power cords, electronic and mechanical isolation, long break in and warm up. I agree with many that they are especially nice paired with a tubed preamp, in my case Ayon.

Guys,

You know I was just thinking about something. If the current crop of digital amps had appeared in the 1980's I think they would have pretty much ended the solid state / linear amplifier market.

The SS amps at the time were, by and large, full of compromises, and consumers were hungry for all things digital.

This did not happen however, the digital amps of the 1990's weren't nearly as good as they are now, and solid state amplifiers also continued to advance to where they are today.

Still fun to think about. :)

Best,


E

The 60’s 70’s 80’s were the change over from germanium transistors to early silicon transistors, and the amps around at that time were ? to say the least. A good tube was better to own still. But the silicon transistor has advanced, so to circuit design.

I’m still waiting for the transistor that will take Class-D to where it will eventually get to in the rankings, Technics are using a super transistor (not available for everyone) for their SE-R1 Class-D poweramp (special order only), but it’s a $20k-$30k amp, it shows what’s ahead in the future for Class-D

http://www.technics.com/us/products/r1/se-r1.html

Stereophile listens. Technics SE-R1 Stereo Power Amplifier
"This amplifier delivered some of the best reproduced sound at CES 2017
The broad and deep soundstage, imaging, upper midrange detail, and bass extension were thrilling during the system’s rendition of "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace" and "Pie Jesu."

Digital Trends Listen: Technics SE-R1 Stereo Power Amplifier
" Not only are we hearing things we’d never heard before, we’re hearing it in a way we’ve never heard it before. A music system that sounds like a live performance is a tough goal to attain, but Technics’ flagship nails it.

This is all due to the higher switching frequency (double of what's around now)  of these special transistors.

Cheers George