The Future of Audio Amplification


I have recently paired an Audio Research DS225 Class D amplifier with an Audio Research tube preamplifier (SP8 mkii). I cannot believe how wonderful and lifelike my music sounds. The DS225 replaced an Audio Research SD135 Class AB amplifier. Perhaps the SD135 is just not as good as some of the better quality amps that are out there, but it got me thinking that amazingly wonderful sonance can be achieved with a tubed pre and Class D amp. I have a hunch that as more people experience this combination, it will likely catch on and become the future path of many, if not most audiophile systems. It is interesting that Audio Research has been at the forefront of this development.
distortions
No one has provided a logical, technical counterpoint to kosst's argument regarding class D other than experiential vignettes.

No one has proven the measurements Kosst has alluded to are audible on the other side of a speaker.

All Kosst has done is noticed 1 measurement.

There are plenty of ways in which Class D is as good or better than many SS and Tube Class A, Class A/B amps.

Noise and frequency response and low output impedance in the audible band among them.  Why don't we count those 3 as better than Kosst's single measurement?

Why do you think Stereophile uses an output filter in the first place? Because it is more meaningful that way.  What makes Kosst such an authority that he can disregard it?  Puhleese.


plga,

Congratulations on the Nord. I too have the LM508IA and largely prefer it over the W4S ST-500 mkii class D. The W4S had great lows and mid bass but sterile mids and hard highs. Heck I even liked a 20 year old parasound HCA-1200ii better. I can see how a tube pre could work wonders instead of my DAC-2 pre on a class D amp.

What get's me is how much a positive difference quality room correction makes. How many commenting on Class D vs. A/B, SS, tubes have made these comps with room correction and separates? My experience was that class D was stark, bleached, just plain fatiguing. I'm sure a better/new class D amp would sound better. 

The exacting results of RC may have synergy with one amp and not another and knowing the differences RC makes, I never A/B compare without it. Could the Lyngdorf 2170 buzz be largely attributed to room correction?

I for one have owned the gamut of amplification (including several class D variants with multiple iterations of Hypex and a DIY amp from Class D Audio). Class D was pleasant enough (with a tubed pre-amp), but failed to hold my attention and seemed vaguely flat and bleached for lack of a better description.
This common even with those that persevere with it as above.
But some don’t hear it, and because they can’t hear it, they say those that do are full of it, even if measurements are backing them up.
Bet you thought there was nothing wrong with the bass though
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I still believe it is the future, just not yet, I think the Technics and Merrill ones with GaN technology, are going to lead the way, and take Class-D where it needs to be to compete with the hiend linear amps.
The others at the moment are great bass amps, but not hi-end yet elsewhere in the audio band..

Cheers George
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so Kosst, are you saying all class D has audible distortions? What about A and or A//B? Don't they as well?

I have a 20 amp dedicated line, Core Power 1800 PC for front end . I bought it for my amp/s too, but they sound better plugged direct to wall. I use both WireWorld PCs and a couple from Tekline Audio, which sound better, but are 2+ xs the price, although WW has more expensive PCs too