Good info on digital Amps?

boe · « **on:** 8 Mar 2005, 04:18 am »

I didn't notice any but if there are any good threads about digital amps I would be interested. I'm probably going to have to wait at least a year for the technology to be out that I want in my next preamp but I really don't know squat about digital amps. If they are worth waiting for I would appreciate the info. I know some companies are starting to talk about them but the question is how do they sound.

I listened to Sony's $4500 digital receiver and it was really really overpriced in my opinion. I've heard $2,000 receivers that in my opinion sounded just as good but then again receivers usually don't impress me. I appreciate bang for the buck and think that you can get pretty good sound from a $1400 preamp and a $2000 amp - so I'm not looking for the ULTIMATE preamp or amp but would like to feel I'm getting my money's worth.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

BeeBop · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 11:19 am »

Bryston doesn't make digital amps. Try the Two Channel or Multichannel circles.

James Tanner · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 02:47 pm »

Here is an article In one of our newsletters that you may find informative.

http://bryston.ca/newsletters/74_files/vol7is4.html

james

boe · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 03:10 pm »

Thanks for the response - I'm guessing based on this you would say it would be quite a while before digital is able to compete at a reasonable price and quality as the current amps? Or did I misread this article?

James Tanner · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 03:12 pm »

Yes I agree Digital has a way to go.

james

boe · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 04:43 pm »

Thanks again, I appreciate the info. That is one less feature I'll have to wait for on my next preamp. Hopefully the technology I want will be available soon - it is tough to know what is coming but not know when. Since digital amps are a way off I won't have to be concerned about them.

mr_bill · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 05:02 pm »

boe,
What didn't you like about the Sony Receiver (str da9000es)?
This is a product that takes a digital feed and keeps the signal digital all the way through amplification until the analog speaker outputs.
It is supposed to be extremely tranparent. The only caveat is not to use an analog in or preamp out on this piece as those aspects are not very good.
I'm curious as I've looked at this product and read the reviews.
Just thought it would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
Bill

JCC · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 05:10 pm »

It's true that digital has some growing up to do. Regardless, many feel that good implementation of class T is outstanding. The BelCanto implementation is the premier example. Modified Carver ZR series can sound great.

I read the reference article and found it interesting. Regardless, many articles are written with a predisposed purpose. Digital is outstanding today, and will improve more over time.

boe · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Mar 2005, 05:19 pm »

I'll start out by saying my opinion is just one and not everyone has the same taste. Some people love Indian food but I don't. I think audio is not only scientific but also a matter of preference.

With that, to me, the Sony sounded thin, flat, unresponsive and underpowered. I have an old Sony 9000es preamp connected to a Rotel amp that sounds much better to me. In the shop where they had the Sony receiver, we switched it over from the Sony to a Rotel Preamp (1066 I believe) and a Rotel amp. The sound seemed richer, the response seemed snappier and the volume levels could go higher with the Rotel. We only were listening to two speakers although both systems could handle surround. It seemed as if the same speakers for both tests were behind a thick piece of paper when connected to the Sony - not so much muffled but more like it was distant even at the same volumes as the Rotel. I'm not an audio critic so please excuse my poor descriptions.

I think I got some good bang for my buck on my investments but would like to upgrade my amp and my preamp however there I don't believe I can afford a preamp that will be easily upgraded for the new DTS and Dolby formats (I don't care about the additional speakers, just the larger data stream) when they come out so I'll probably hold tight on the preamp but will very likely get the amp at this point so I don't get hit for so much in one year on audio equipment.

James Tanner · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Mar 2005, 02:48 pm »

Hi JCC,

As you said in your post above ---- "I read the reference article and found it interesting. Regardless, many articles are written with a predisposed purpose. Digital is outstanding today, and will improve more over time."

The thing about this article though that is very enlightning - in fact I was surprised to see that the corporate policy allowed this - is here is an expert who is involved in a Digitally (class D) progressive company stating that digital (Class D) even with further advancements is still only going to approach the performance of a good linear amplifier.
What most people do not realise is that there is no such thing as a digital amp -they are Class D and essentially are an analog exercise in design. You can play around with T, G, P and Q but you can not fool mother nature.

They certainly have there place but if 'linearity' is the goal good old linear amps are still the way to go.

my $.02

james