There's a huge difference between a pre-amp and a power amp. SMPS's fail all the time in applications that require real current. Laptop chargers, battery chargers, TV's, you name it. These things failing isn't a rare occurrence. It's an everyday thing. There are businesses out there that do nothing but repair SMPS's for all kinds of machinery, and it's generally the caps that go to hell.
The Future of Audio Amplification
I have recently paired an Audio Research DS225 Class D amplifier with an Audio Research tube preamplifier (SP8 mkii). I cannot believe how wonderful and lifelike my music sounds. The DS225 replaced an Audio Research SD135 Class AB amplifier. Perhaps the SD135 is just not as good as some of the better quality amps that are out there, but it got me thinking that amazingly wonderful sonance can be achieved with a tubed pre and Class D amp. I have a hunch that as more people experience this combination, it will likely catch on and become the future path of many, if not most audiophile systems. It is interesting that Audio Research has been at the forefront of this development.
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- 388 posts total
- 388 posts total