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Class A amps or Class D??: Which sounds better??

Amplifier performance and synergy depends on the other components, and cables in a system. I have read alot about the advantages of Class A.amps Though an older amp design, do class A amps necessarily sound better than Class D digital amps like Nu-Force, Bel Canto, and Wyred4Sound?? These class D amps supposedly run more efficiently, with less heat and noise and are smaller in size.

I have a friend who has a Musical Fidelity A3CR power amp and a Bel canto pre-amp, and a pair of Spendor floorstanders. The MF amp is at least 10 years old, and no longer made. I have listened to the amp in his system, and it does sound very good. Most noteably is its across the board smoothness. However, I think its performance is system dependent, and might be a liability in other systems. Would like to hear comments and opinions about these two amp "designs", and if one sounds better than the other, OR JUST DIFFERENT.

BTW, I am not sure that owning a 10 year old amp like the MF A3CR is a good idea, despite its class A rating, and a few positive consumer reviews I have seen. Thank you
sunnyjim

Showing 5 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
That aspect of design alone does not determine the sound. So I think it is hard to generalize.

I have heard very good Class A, A/B and D.

I replaced a MF A3CR with my current Bel Canto Ref1000ms and much prefer the BCs. In some systems, the A3CR might be preferred. It all depends on overall synergies and balance.

Biggest difference between A3Cr and BC Class Ds in my case is A3CR is a touch hotter through the upper midrange perhaps and much lower power for my power hungry speakers, though they sounded fine.

There was a big difference in the bass with BCs being much more articulate and dimensional which I would attribute at least partially to very high damping factor compared to A3CR.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
I would like to hear the new Rogue hybrid.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
"It boils down to having the right tool for the job."

Thank you for that answer that "hits the nail on the head".

What hammer works best? Screwdriver? Amplifier?

Audio is not so complicated anymore as some make it out to be. The basic problems have been solved for years.

Now it is exactly more about choosing the right tool for the job than ever because, guess what, there are many very good ones out there and they are all different! Go figure!

Of course some may like certain tools and build their solutions that way. No problem. Its all good! There is no better or best technology. IT ALL DEPENDS! Who'da Thunkit?

One needs to think twice before categorically dismissing certain technologies that they may not prefer because there may be others out there that know better and credibility is lost.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Strength of Class D is when lots of power is needed in a small and perhaps affordable low maintenance package.

Class D may or may not be a good option in other cases, however those will be weaker cases for Class D ie cases where the unique aspects of Class D do not matter as much.

What the best option is largely depends on the playing field. Each approach is sound and can sound very good on its home field, less so playing away games on the others, so one can always set pre-conditions that favor one solution versus another. What happens and is needed in real life is all that matters in the end.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Atmasphere is right that Class D amp technology is likely still evolving along the technology maturity curve, certainly it is newer than other types relatively speaking. But it has been around a while and has reached a fairly mature state at this point I would say, at least based on my experience so far. I did consider waiting about 2 years back when I splurged on my current Class Ds, but hey tthey seemed like the best solution available for me at the time so I decided to take the plunge. You only live once TTBOMK. One can never be certain what lies ahead.
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