The Truth about Modern Class D

I am in agreement with Erik. I have a Class D integrated hybrid amp and if it suffers from switching distortion or dead time, I sure as hell can't hear it. Granted, I haven't been able to compare it to dozens of other amps, class D, AB, A, or otherwise. But what I have had in the past which was a McIntosh C-45 preamp and MC-402 poweramp. It took less than 5 minutes out of the box (new Class D) cold and not broken in yet, to tell it was vastly superior to the Mac gear. It has what a lot of you considered outdated Hypex 400 modules and to my ears still sounds wonderful. I have been exposed to the expensive exotic stuff over the years and don't feel I'm missing much in resolution, dynamics, smoothness, musicality or whatever. There are several of you that seem to think Class D is almost unlistenable, probably in not so many words. Why so many of you have to make such a big deal about it is beyond me. What many of you will realize is class D is the future of audio amplification. I believe that is inevitable. IMO.

These guys are leading, advancing future of Class-D with their GaN semiconductors.

There’s much to choose from on the EPC GaN Class-D website.

After having a good look at everything this one is the pick I think, it’s got everything, programmable DSP and the kitchen sink. digital inputs, analog inputs, usb. Just hook up +-32v and away you go.

8ohm 200w supposed to double into 4ohm 400w?? that’s like saying perpetual motion is real, https://youtu.be/4b8ZsFszE8I?t=2 be nice to see what it can do into 2ohms.

http://epc-co.com/epc/Portals/0/epc/documents/thirdparty/EAS_eGaN_2.0-Channel_EvalKit-010116.pdf

Cheers George

What many of you will realize is class D is the future of audio amplification. I believe that is inevitable. IMO.

It already is, but that's because most consumers don't care about audio quality and manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to skimp on production costs. The benefit to the consumer is saving a few $$ on their electric bill. The benefit to the manufacturer is lower production and shipping costs. As BP clearly states, sound quality is not the intended benefit:

S&V: Generally speaking, what are the key benefits of Class D versus the traditional Class AB and Class A designs that have long been favored by audiophiles?
BP: Efficiency and therefore the ability to construct amps that are powerful for their size. Only that. Modern Class D amps, in particular mine—ahem—sound good not because they’re Class D, but in spite of it. I can’t repeat that often enough. Left to its own devices, a switching power stage tries to do just about anything except amplify audio. You choose Class D to save energy but it’s all elbow grease after that.
Read more at https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bruno-putzeys-head-class-d#W85iCOqbk6BmH5yU.99

Which approach is best: modding a Prius to be almost as quick as a Lambo (with better MPG), and charging Lambo prices, or just starting from the ground up with a real gas-guzzling Lambo? 

Personally, I'd take the latter though I can understand the argument for the former. 

Which approach is best: modding a Prius to be almost as quick as a Lambo (with better MPG), and charging Lambo prices, or just starting from the ground up with a real gas-guzzling Lambo?

Personally, I'd take the latter though I can understand the argument for the former.

+1 That's about it alright, for now anyway. I think we maybe in for a shock in the not too distant future, re all the stuff EPC is doing with the GaN.

 Then all the Class-D's being raved about at present, will become as popular as solid state was when they were made with Germanium transistors when Silicon transistors hit the market.
You couldn't sell them to save yourself, they made excellent door stops and that was it. 

Cheers George