[merlin1083]

Hello, I was wondering what was the collective though on class D amplifers, I just installed a 6 custom class D monoblocks in my studio to power an Augspurger system, three way, all original TAD components and it sounds cleaner , faster and more accurate than tube and mosfet amps... thoughts?

[AvsFan]

Hello, I was wondering what was the collective though on class D amplifers, I just installed a 6 custom class D monoblocks in my studio to power an Augspurger system, three way, all original TAD components and it sounds cleaner , faster and more accurate than tube and mosfet amps... thoughts?

It's because they are! Lol.

If it's  good amp, it's a good amp. And there are a lot of companies building superb sounding Class D amps. My main "audiophile" system uses a Class D amp from The Digital Amplifier Company. Love it!

[FullRangeMan]

Clinic.

[Phil A]

I agree a good amp is a good amp.  I have Class D amps in two systems.  One of them outperformed a highly regarded Class AB amp and then I bought the other Class D which is even better.  There are good and bad designs of any type of audio component.  Class D has come a long way in the past couple of years.

[anicca]

Well, I've had the Channel Islands E200s for a year now and I love it.  Got the punch in the bottom end and nice overall robustness and detail that I love.  And it runs relatively cool so I can leave it on 24/7 if I want. 

[JLM]

Started my Class D journey with the original Channel Island Audio D-100 100 watt mono-blocks.  Next came Temple Audio (English) mono-blocks, rated up to 100 watts depending on what power supply is used.  Now running NAD M10 and with each update the sound improved.  Along the way bought active 2-way monitors from Dynaudio and JBL driven by Class D internal amps. 

[Jumpin]

Still using a modified Carver ZR 1000.  If I remember correctly, this is one of the amps that started the Class D buzz.

[Wind Chaser]

I can’t speak for the collective, but I for one am done with tubes! 

[fbny71]

Welcome!

I can’t speak for the collective, but I for one am done with tubes! 

I can't say I'm done with them...but I'm certainly all in with SS at the moment!

[smargo]

I can't say I'm done with them...but I'm certainly all in with SS at the moment!

me too - im all in with ss as well - my latest class d  sounded good - but something was missing - i cant put my finger on it - so maybe i deserve some backlash

[Wind Chaser]

Maybe you haven't found the right Class D amp?

[Stu Pitt]

A great sounding amp is a great sounding amp, regardless of what “class” it uses. I’ve heard great sounding Class A, AB, D, G, tubes, et al. I’ve also heard awful sound examples of each one. One type of output doesn’t make something inherently better nor worse than everything else.

[FullRangeMan]

A great sounding amp is a great sounding amp, regardless of what “class” it uses. I’ve heard great sounding Class A, AB, D, G, tubes, et al. I’ve also heard awful sound examples of each one. One type of output doesn’t make something inherently better nor worse than everything else.

You forget to mention Class B, this output class are so bad no even pro-audio amps use it, the same for Class C, so far Iam not in love with Class AB amps either.

[nickd]

What’s missing is usually noise. It takes some time to get used to the absence of noise. Good class D is extremely silent behind the notes. Almost sounds fake if you are coming from noisy amps.

Don’t get me wrong I love vinyl, tubes, analog tape, etc.
But silence is golden. On really good recordings The music just appears without an audible source. That affect can be intoxicating. Hard to go back to “colorful” amps even if they are fun. You can always hear what they add on to the source.

[hifix]

What’s missing is usually noise. It takes some time to get used to the absence of noise. Good class D is extremely silent behind the notes. Almost sounds fake if you are coming from noisy amps.

Don’t get me wrong I love vinyl, tubes, analog tape, etc.
But silence is golden. On really good recordings The music just appears without an audible source. That affect can be intoxicating. Hard to go back to “colorful” amps even if they are fun. You can always hear what they add on to the source.

This is spot on in my book.

[noinimod]

Sometimes the issues with class D are due to impedance mismatch (esp on icepower-based modules) issues

[Bill Baker]

I have heard/built a lot of amps over the past 25 years.  I use 3 Class D amps and 2 tube amps for testing our preamps and other products. As mentioned, a good amp is a good amp. However, it is my opinion that Class D sounds best with a good and properly chosen tube preamp in front of it.
I no longer have a preference as I enjoy both Class D and tube amps but always use a tube preamp.

[Wind Chaser]

The best preamp IMO is no preamp. The simpler and shorter the signal path from source to speakers the better - again that’s just my opinion. 

[rollo]

Maybe you haven't found the right Class D amp?

   Correct-a-mundo. IMHO it is mostly the power supply module used. No off the shelf modules for me. I also prefer a hybrid using a tubed input. Lets one use either no preamp,passive or active.


charles

[Bill Baker]

The best preamp IMO is no preamp. The simpler and shorter the signal path from source to speakers the better - again that’s just my opinion. 

Fair enough. That's part of this hobby. Everyone has their preferences. I personally don't like the sound of a straight Class D amp with being feed by tubes. For me, the right tube preamp paired with a good Class D is something I can live with. I've been working on the right combination for about the past 8 months.