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Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Digital Amplifier Company Owners => Topic started by: who?me? on 23 Aug 2018, 09:45 pm

Title: Cherry Amp w/Ribbon Tweeters?
Post by: who?me? on 23 Aug 2018, 09:45 pm
I'm looking for some feedback about using the Class D Cherry Ultra amp
with speakers that use ribbon tweeters.

Anyone have any experience? Feedback?

At least 3-4 years ago I was still believing that ribbon tweeters
were not a good mix with Class D b/c of the sibilance it produced.

But now we have gone from ICE modules to NCore, Pascal, etc
and other proprietary designs (Dig Amp Co of course) that
may not be so bright, with digital etch, etc

Anyone know about using more modern Class D with
ribbon tweeters while having better sibilance control?
thx
Gary

Title: Re: Cherry Amp w/Ribbon Tweeters?
Post by: OzarkTom on 24 Aug 2018, 12:37 am
My take on ribbon drivers back in the 80-90's, were they sounded too bright with tube or Class a/b amps. But that might have changed with some of the newer ribbons. I went into the Heil room at RMAF in 2010 and again they were way too bright. I was only in that room for about 10 seconds, I was afraid of getting a headache. I am sure some people loves them.

Tommy's amps never has sounded too bright on any other speaker I have tried them on, but I still shy away from ribbons because of my past experience. Ribbons have always sounded metallic and sterile to my ears. But that is probably just me.
Title: Re: Cherry Amp w/Ribbon Tweeters?
Post by: nickd on 24 Aug 2018, 04:33 am
Modern high end class D amps are as clean up top as anything out there.
I have not heard the Cherry except at a show or two or read anywhere that it sounded bright or grainy.
I’m sure a correctly implemented ribbon would be fine if your tastes lean in that direction.

The best implementation of ribbons I have experienced have typically been line source designs.

I am listening as a type to a class D amp into a speaker with a compression driver padded down to 96db efficiency, crossed over at 1500hz.  The magnet is bigger than most modern woofers. The highs are incredible. I occasionally question the recording / mastering engineer’s choices, but not the amp. It only tells the truth.
Title: Re: Cherry Amp w/Ribbon Tweeters?
Post by: who?me? on 25 Aug 2018, 04:47 pm
My take on ribbon drivers back in the 80-90's, were they sounded too bright with tube or Class a/b amps. But that might have changed with some of the newer ribbons. I went into the Heil room at RMAF in 2010 and again they were way too bright. I was only in that room for about 10 seconds, I was afraid of getting a headache. I am sure some people loves them.

Tommy's amps never has sounded too bright on any other speaker I have tried them on, but I still shy away from ribbons because of my past experience. Ribbons have always sounded metallic and sterile to my ears. But that is probably just me.

yes, Tom, I believe that is why the Cherry Amps are called "sweet".
the tech for Class D seems to have advanced exponentially in the last 10 years,
and the ribbon tweeters have only gotten better as well.
In particular, it is the high end Class D amp makers, eg Merrill, etc that are also able to make totally satisfied customers, b/c of the extra circuits and power involved, creating very accurate and musical sound.

It just makes me wonder, if the Cherry is sweet,
how does death metal sound? sweet?! ;)
Title: Re: Cherry Amp w/Ribbon Tweeters?
Post by: AmpDesigner333 on 28 Sep 2018, 03:31 am
....It just makes me wonder, if the Cherry is sweet,
how does death metal sound? sweet?! ;)

As sweet as possible, then?    8)