Hello From Ireland

StandardModel · « **on:** 21 Mar 2020, 10:53 am »

I'm a retired Electrical Engineer- Patent Attorney. Because of my background, i love electronics of all kinds. I started out building crystal radios, went on to become a ham radio operator at twelve and then found Heathkits and progressed from there. I'm hooked on audio!
These days I spend half time in Ireland.
I'm looking for an audio project to build. Class D amplifiers look doable but I read that they are somewhat brittle sounding. Tubes always had a nice warm sound (read distortion).

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Mar 2020, 11:01 am »

Welcome

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Mar 2020, 11:35 am »

Welcome!

Try to audition various amps. Personally I don't want everything to sound the same (brittle or warm). Class D has progressed greatly in a short time. I've owned 3 Class D and each better than it's predecessor. Also recommend:

- Focusing on the room, read Floyd Toole's "Sound Reproduction" 3rd edition which is the consummate audiophile primer to learn how speakers behave in-room. His theories will push you towards use of carefully placed multiple subs.

- Next priority should be speakers. In that regard highly suggest active designs for their superior design premises and sonics (dynamics, flat frequency response, imaging, and deep/full bass). Another very modern design aspect is controlled directivity. But avoid "digital" active designs that include a DAC (locking you into a typically mediocre DAC).

Phil A · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Mar 2020, 01:49 pm »

Welcome to AC!

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Mar 2020, 02:46 pm »

Quote from: StandardModel on 21 Mar 2020, 10:53 am

Class D amplifiers look doable but I read that they are somewhat brittle sounding. Tubes always had a nice warm sound (read distortion).

Welcome to Audio Circle.

My Class D amps do not sound brittle at all. Over the years I have owned many fine tube amps but they all sound like tube amps. My Class D amps don’t sound like amps be it tube/SS. For that reason I will never own another tube amp.

ArthurDent · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Mar 2020, 02:54 pm »

Greetings & Welcome to AC Std

rollo · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Mar 2020, 05:51 pm »

Quote from: StandardModel on 21 Mar 2020, 10:53 am

I'm a retired Electrical Engineer- Patent Attorney. Because of my background, i love electronics of all kinds. I started out building crystal radios, went on to become a ham radio operator at twelve and then found Heathkits and progressed from there. I'm hooked on audio!
These days I spend half time in Ireland.
I'm looking for an audio project to build. Class D amplifiers look doable but I read that they are somewhat brittle sounding. Tubes always had a nice warm sound (read distortion).

Depends on which Class "D" one chooses. I like Hybrid with NO OEM modules. Tubed input class "D" output. Not a dealer of such.

charles

dwmaggie · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Mar 2020, 06:41 pm »

Emerald Isle, welcome to an amazing site. Check Digital Amplifier Company for a lot of good class D info. Tommy engineered his own class D electronics, not the current modules available on the internet. How good are they, I run Magnepans. The Dig Amp Co allows my Maggies to sing, well, not really, they are the best match I have ever tried. Just paid for my third one. They are just so much better than all of the class A/Bs I have tried, including a 70wpc tube amp. This a fun place to read and research, especially compared to other sites. I listen most of the time at very low levels...everything gets reproduced just as the source intended. And yes, they sound great at loud listening levels.