Switched to Class D or get left behind?

[Michaels HiFi]

Michael, please get off your high and mighty attitude. I certainly would not call Stereophile bought and paid for awards... but who the hell cares anyway. You believe every audio magazine is bought and paid for, and I disagree. We will leave it at that.

No high horse here—just sharing my perspective like you are yours. That is after all what forums are for, right?

I think that's great you are speaking for me regarding what you think I think.

 

[Randy Myers]

No high horse here—just sharing my perspective like you are yours. That is after all what forums are for, right?

I think that's great you are speaking for me regarding what you think I think. Can you guess what I think about you?

And there you go. Being the typical asshole that you display over and over and over.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

And there you go. Being the typical asshole that you display over and over and over.

LOL. Oh Randy, so much anger in you.

 

[2FarGone]

IMO, the 3800's are excellent, much better than the price would allow you to believe. They were stunning driven by a hegel 590. They need a medium to large room.

I picked up the 3800s at a fire sale price intending to take them to my cabin, but made the mistake of having them delivered to my primary residence. My spouse decided that she had more appreciation for the JBLs visually, so it’s the Odeons going to the cabin. Either way it was fine. Both will sound great in that space.

 

[Hear Here]

That is after all what forums are for, right?

Forums are generally for constructive discussion, comparing notes and experiences, or asking for help with the expectation of reliable and worthwhile advice - just like magazines offer.

 

[Feanor]

Hi Feanor - I've always found this interesting when people have this preference.

There are some great recordings and some very poor recordings available. I mean this as an honest question: you are ok with listening to a very poor recording even if it sounds poor because that's how someone made it? Would you not rather make it pleasant to listen to?

Would you not rather listen to something that sounds good regardless of how someone in a the recording chain made it?

Again, I'm not saying your preference is wrong - just a friendly discussion.

Ha!! Well the short answer is that I avoid listening to really poor recordings. (Life is too short, especially when one i my age.)

But another way to put is that if "colored" or less than clean, transparent equipment (such as s tube amp), can improve BAD recordings, they won't reveal the full quality of the BEST recordings. I'd rather the best recordings in their full glory.

 

[Feanor]

You assume Class D is the only amps that are low distortion, wrong. As an example my Levinson is very low distortion yet sounds much better than any Class D I've heard so far. It takes more to make music than low distortion. Correct your tunnel vision.

If you measured the sound when a band or orchestra was playing it wouldn't look like a ruler, just saying.

You don't have to let your ears bleed on principle

For the record I want an honest rendering of the recording. I wouldn't have sought out higher end gear if I wanted everything glossed over. Like most things there are extremes.

You assume Class D is the only amps that are low distortion, wrong. As an example my Levinson is very low distortion yet sounds much better than any Class D I've heard so far. It takes more to make music than low distortion. Correct your tunnel vision.

If you measured the sound when a band or orchestra was playing it wouldn't look like a ruler, just saying.

You don't have to let your ears bleed on principle

For the record I want an honest rendering of the recording. I wouldn't have sought out higher end gear if I wanted everything glossed over. Like most things there are extremes.

No, sorry if I gave the impression that only class D amps are capable of ultra-low distortion -- are you confusing me with another poster? On the contrary, in a couple of posts I've made it clear that amps of more traditional design are capable of that ultra-low distortion. (I cited newer McIntosh models as an example.)

FWIW, at the notorious ASR site the current lowest distortion amp is the Topping B200 which is AB technology, (with a Topping proprietary feedback methodology). See ASR's review of the B200 HERE.

 

[Hear Here]

No, sorry if I gave the impression that only class D amps are capable of ultra-low distortion -- are you confusing me with another poster? On the contrary, in a couple of posts I've made it clear that amps of more traditional design are capable of that ultra-low distortion. (I cited newer McIntosh models as an example.)

FWIW, at the notorious ASR site the current lowest distortion amp is the Topping B200 which is AB technology, (with a Topping proprietary feedback methodology). See ASR's review of the B200 HERE.

I wonder how important in the big scale of things an amp with ultra-low distortion really is. I must admit that I wound never look at ASR to explore ultra-low distortion amps to consider. Neither do I really care if the amp is tube or ss or whatever technology is employed by way of PP / SET / OTL, Class A / AB / D, etc. For me, it is the amp's match with my speakers and how well and faithfully the combination can deliver music, with as much excitement factor as one would hope for at a live concert. That's why I bought or borrowed numerous ss amps of all classes to home trial before deciding on one to keep in my system. The top 3 in my 10-amp tests represented one each of A (Accuphase), AB (GamuT) and D (NAD Master Series).

As things have now developed, I believe that Class D (if carefully chosen to match the speakers), can equal or better other types, though I sympathise with the view of others who may put more costly amps higher up their wish list. How much this is influenced by their looks, brand status, etc I wonder. It's like buying cars. You don't need to spend Bentley money to get the same performance, or handling, or comfort, or any other of Bentley's splendid features to equally enjoy the drive. And when listening to music and close your eyes, it matters not whether you have a $5K or a $30K amp in front of you if both delight your ears equally.

PS - Although I neither know nor care where the Benchmark AHB2 amp may be placed in the ASR list of ultra-low distortion amps, it was this amp and it's dreary delivery of music that started my quest for a more entertaining amp. I understand that it measures exceptionally well and offers an extremely high S:N ratio. Are these facts relevent to the listener who just weants to be excited and enthralled by the music in his living room?