New Marantz PM10 class D. Excellent.
Class D = Trash?
So, I'm on my second class D amp. The first one, a Teac AI-301DA which claimed to use an ICE module, was unlistenable trash. I burned it in for a few weeks, it just couldn't perform, so I sent it back. Following that, I tried the new Emotiva A-300 (class A/B). It was significantly better, but lacking in too many ways for my tastes. So I changed gears, got an 845 SET from China -- and it was an immediate and massive improvement.
So, before I went further down the SET road, I wanted to try a better class D product using a modern class D module. I settled on the D-Sonic M3-800S with the Pascal module and custom input stage. I read from reviews that these things like to have big cables, so I picked up an eBay 8 gauge power cable (Maze Audio, el-cheapo Oyaide copy plugs, braided 4-wire cable) to go along with it.
Mid-range GONE.
Soundstage depth CRUSHED.
Euphonics DISAPPEARED.
Yes, resolution went up. Driver control went up, allowing me to play compressed rock/pop and orchestra with the speakers being able to render it all. But enjoyment in the sound is basically gone. Using my best power cable (LessLoss Original) improved performance, but didn't fundamentally change the amp's nature. I ran back to my headphones (Focal Utopias) to detox my ear canals.
So, how long does a class D need to burn-in? I want to give it a fair shake before writing the technology off forever.
So, before I went further down the SET road, I wanted to try a better class D product using a modern class D module. I settled on the D-Sonic M3-800S with the Pascal module and custom input stage. I read from reviews that these things like to have big cables, so I picked up an eBay 8 gauge power cable (Maze Audio, el-cheapo Oyaide copy plugs, braided 4-wire cable) to go along with it.
Mid-range GONE.
Soundstage depth CRUSHED.
Euphonics DISAPPEARED.
Yes, resolution went up. Driver control went up, allowing me to play compressed rock/pop and orchestra with the speakers being able to render it all. But enjoyment in the sound is basically gone. Using my best power cable (LessLoss Original) improved performance, but didn't fundamentally change the amp's nature. I ran back to my headphones (Focal Utopias) to detox my ear canals.
So, how long does a class D need to burn-in? I want to give it a fair shake before writing the technology off forever.
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- 236 posts total
seanheis196 posts04-01-2017 9:36am Very interesting point about switching frequencies… What is the acceptable switching friequency range is targeted by the pundits? Below is a quote from George from the Class D technology thread. The day will come when Class D will compete and very well be better than any linear amps tube,s/s, class A, AB or whatever, BUT!! Yes it actually, the filter that’s needed to rid that switching frequency and all it’s artifacts that does the damage also to the audio band at the moment. ( switching frequency artifacts left over are the buzz-saw ringing that one sees on test 1khz square waves) http://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/805CIAfig2.jpg (And the filter also causes phase shifts in the 5khz to 20khz of the audio band) If the switching frequency were higher, then the filter can do it’s job without effecting the audio band, and get rid of all ringing that’s left over on those square wave tests. So I wait in hope for technology to advance so the switching frequency can be up around 5mhz. Technics in the above link have got it up, with special transistors to 3hmz they are showing the way, but that amp costs $20-30K and is special order only. Cheers George |
Aberyclark... Hmmmm.... Really?! George, funny thing that, trusting my own ears, I really can't hear any artifacts in my gear... SMPS switching at 450 Khz or so. Real heavenly actually. But I admit that some amps switching at similar frequencies are the ones that should be marketed only as varmint chasers *Grins!* G. |
- 236 posts total