Could Class D really be that good?


I've heard statements praising modern class D amplifiers all the time but was sort of hesitant to try. Lately, one particular model caught my eye, the Fosi V3, which costs sub $100 but is praised for having refined sound like class A/B. To fulfill my curiosity, I quickly ordered one and tried it with my Burchardt S400II and Wharfedale Linton speakers. Basically, this is a neutral sounding amp but, to my surprise, the sound is clean, open, airy, with full mids, wide soundstage, good imaging/separation, with nearly null traces of the edginess, dryness, or lean sound that traditional class D amplifiers have. The background is just as quiet as my current systems. The core is the TPA 3255 chip from TI and comes with a 32v, 5A power block, which is supposed to deliver approximately 65 watts per channel (into 8 ohms). It drives the S400II/Linton without any hesitation, as well as my 130-watt-per-channel high-current Parasound A23. Very impressive.

Measurement is not everything. However, according to the lab test results, when operated under 10-60 watts, the distortion level (THD) is below 0.003%, better than a lot of high-end (price) gears. I am going to build around it for my fourth system with upgraded op-amp and LPS. I believe it will outperform my current mid-end (price) amplifiers.

I know, I know, quite a few Audiogoners' systems are above $100k, and mentioning this kind of little giant that costs a fraction could be rather embarrassing. But I thought this is just like gold digging with a lot of surprises and fun. Don't you think?

lanx0003

Wow, you just stated that all modern op amps are perfect. Yes, you did not state that all opamps made since the beginning of time were perfect (yes, I did not quote you correctly). What you stated before was just what you said: "all modern opamps".....you probably mean after 1980?....I quess that is when you stopped listening. All "modern" op amps have a sound and it is not confimation bias or a bad design flaw. This is where thousands of people (including world class designers) disagree with you. They know that certain brands of op amp sound differently (and most believe discrete op amps are the most transparent). But you have to listen to know.....something you do not do (at least with op amps).

The changes I do to class D amps lower the perceived noise. You hear farther into the recording.....more decay, more ambience, better imaging, more correct harmonic structure, more transparent and real......this is REAL noise reduction.....not some number on a graph. I do no know more about basic design than most designers, however I have more practical knowledge of implementaion and parts and how they affect the sound than most designers. I have been doing listening tests since the mid 70s....and was the first person (back in the late 70s), that I know of, that did straight wire bypass tests on wire....yes, no wire was perfect....

The companies that usually make the best sound do both....they design and they tweak like crazy. That is why they keep updating their stuff.....like the guy at AGD. Check out this page on Burson Audio. Go to the bottom of the page and see all the pics of customers products that were upgraded using their op amps.....you can keep loading more and more and more of them. These people have circuits that are flawed and they have expectation bias?.....come on......This is just the tip of the iceberg worldwide. At the top of the page are Utube reviews of the op amps. You can keep making stuff up and believing it and telling the world about it.......but it is not truth unless it passes the listenng tests. The people who have listened do not agree with you. Burson is now in their 7th generation of discrete op amp....they never stop tweaking....for they know there is no perfection. it is a goal. When you get to the top of the mountain......you look for higher mountains to climb......same with our soul. Love is infinite......the more you eat....the more hungry you become. It is the ULTIMATE ADDICTION.....bringing the highest joy......for everyone.

 

 

Wow, you just stated that all modern op amps are perfect.

Uh, no, I didn't. This sort of comment on your part is known as a Strawman; its a logical fallacy and false by definition.

In an effort to get things back to a "friendlier" tone...does anyone have any experience with the hybrid GaN FeT amps from "Response Audio"? One amp uses a 12au7 tube input stage while another amp other uses a DHT 300B tube input stage. They look quite interesting!

 

Wow, that is the best you can do.  You just stated above that any modern op amp has no sound (will not change the sound).  No sound is most peoples definition of "perfect"...or perfectly transparent......Again.....the people who listen do not agree.  Now what little thing that I just wrote will be your next victum of you ego defense mechanism.  Give it a rest....please.  If you keep saying untruth.....then I will have to counter with truth.  Please, all there is is love.  Please do more listening and post some listening test truths.  This will be most helpful.

grk,

Thanks for that link.  Probably? using the Orchard GaN modules after the tube in the smaller amp.  $3600-$4000 is a nice price range.  You can get a tube front end on the high powered Purifi from VTV for about $3000.  Lots of cool stuff out there.  The 300 B version has no price yet.......probably $5K or more.