RepublicOfTexas69
Member
And in some cases it will.
Switched to Class D or get left behind?
- Thread starter nc42acc
- Start date
I’ve owned a few Class D amps from reputable makers and they’ve ranged from awful to ok, with one exception (I’ll get to that in a minute).
By far, the amps I’ve preferred from what I’ve owned and heard at shows or home sessions have been Class A. The amp that by far gave the sound I’ve enjoyed the most was a Boulder. Big, heavy, expensive, and sublime.
Of the class D I’ve heard, probably the only one I liked until recently was the AGD gan fet, at FL audio expo a few years ago. I almost bought it.
Somewhat ironically, the amp I have now and likely for a while is class D, the axxess forte. It sounds great, and is a set of compromises I can live with for now. Audio group Denmark claims their class d is of their own engineering so that could be why I don’t dislike it as I have previous class d amps. Do I like it as much as my Boulder or Ayre mono blocks? Not even close. I suspect a not-small part of that is that it’s an all-in-one system; I’ve heard audio group denmarks separate amp based on “their” class d at the Expo and it sounded great. Of course that was with $60k speakers.
Far as measurements, I don’t give a shit. I’ve been at this long enough and heard enough systems in enough contexts over 40+ years to know what I like.
Disclaimer - for those about to attack me for not saying “to me!” over and over, get over it. Of course the things we say are by default “to me” and it’s usually pretty clear when people are trying to make universal statements, and easily ignored.
By far, the amps I’ve preferred from what I’ve owned and heard at shows or home sessions have been Class A. The amp that by far gave the sound I’ve enjoyed the most was a Boulder. Big, heavy, expensive, and sublime.
Of the class D I’ve heard, probably the only one I liked until recently was the AGD gan fet, at FL audio expo a few years ago. I almost bought it.
Somewhat ironically, the amp I have now and likely for a while is class D, the axxess forte. It sounds great, and is a set of compromises I can live with for now. Audio group Denmark claims their class d is of their own engineering so that could be why I don’t dislike it as I have previous class d amps. Do I like it as much as my Boulder or Ayre mono blocks? Not even close. I suspect a not-small part of that is that it’s an all-in-one system; I’ve heard audio group denmarks separate amp based on “their” class d at the Expo and it sounded great. Of course that was with $60k speakers.
Far as measurements, I don’t give a shit. I’ve been at this long enough and heard enough systems in enough contexts over 40+ years to know what I like.
Disclaimer - for those about to attack me for not saying “to me!” over and over, get over it. Of course the things we say are by default “to me” and it’s usually pretty clear when people are trying to make universal statements, and easily ignored.
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Mr Peabody
Well-known member
Those who are Class D fans will love this article. I happen not to agree with some of the points unless your goal is a $2k to $3k system. Even then I'd prefer something like the parasound INT6. I'm just not sold as you can tell from my prior comments. This magazine shamelessly promotes Class D for some reason and prints similar articles fairly regularly if you check their archive. I especially don't agree where he talks about Class D being able to produce plenty of power into any speaker. That still requires a power supply and if the amp has a good one it is no longer inexpensive. I agree it's human nature to resist change but I disagree it's the only thing holding audiophiles from embracing Class D. You who have ears let them hear.
futureaudiophile.com
Those in favor of Class Dparrot pretty much every point in this article.
Owning a Class-D Audiophile Amp is Classy These Days
Owning a Class-D Amp is Classy for those audiophiles who have become tired with the downsides of traditional amps but not their sound.
futureaudiophile.com
Those in favor of Class Dparrot pretty much every point in this article.
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
Those who are Class D fans will love this article. I happen not to agree with some of the points unless your goal is a $2k to $3k system. Even then I'd prefer something like the parasound INT6. I'm just not sold as you can tell from my prior comments. This magazine shamelessly promotes Class D for some reason and prints similar articles fairly regularly if you check their archive. I especially don't agree where he talks about Class D being able to produce plenty of power into any speaker. That still requires a power supply and if the amp has a good one it is no longer inexpensive. I agree it's human nature to resist change but I disagree it's the only thing holding audiophiles from embracing Class D. You who have ears let them hear.
Owning a Class-D Audiophile Amp is Classy These Days
Owning a Class-D Amp is Classy for those audiophiles who have become tired with the downsides of traditional amps but not their sound.
Those in favor of Class Dparrot pretty much every point in this article.
I've never liked that mag since about a year ago they did an article on class D saying it's our social responsibility to move away from tubes and embrace class D in order to save the earth.
Of course the authors system at the time consisted of a Class A amp. Not exactly eco-friendly. I messaged him and he told me I was "part of the problem destroying the earth by my love and promotion of tube gear".
I view it as my social responsibility to not engage such virtue-signaling eco-nutjobs. LOL
People should buy what they want - what ever it is for what ever reasons they believe in - without the lecturing of others.