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Class D at low volume

Hi,

How do class D amps behave at low volume levels?  My question is general rather than related to a particular amp.  I know there are exceptions, but as a rule, SET’s and class A SS excel at low volume.  What about class D?  Is low volume performance of class D predetermined, all else being equal? Do class D amps have a comfort zone?  Do they distort more at low volume or is it uniform throughout?  For the purpose of this question I am only referring to analog input amps and not the ones that take in PCM (e.g. NAD M2).

The second part of my question is as follows.  I’m interested in some higher end commercial class D amps from the likes of lab.gruppen, powersoft, mc2, XTA, etc. due to their network-ability as in, I can control them, DSP them, and stream digital, all via RJ45, at the same time dispensing with all the extra boxes and cables.  But, they are all of very high power from 100‘s to 1000‘s of watts.  Does this mean that in a domestic setting at low volume they operate much closer to their noise floor or is this different with class D?

Thanks
serge_s

Showing 7 responses by pavpet

pavpet
121 posts
 
I've been into high end audio since 1970,and these class d amps wyred for sound and nuprime/nuforce are killing my very expensive WYETECH ruby
pavpet
121 posts
 
i have wyred for sound 1000 watt class d amp , that i purchased due to price point . took out my wyetech ruby set 36 watts out of system ,the class d amps incredible , audiophiles here every day are stunned , as well as myself bass , resolution , detail , soundstage , truly amazing considering the $20000 price difference
pavpet
121 posts
 
Tim very well spoken , at low volumes is like having a loudness control , as they seem to fit in any situation there called for , i have very expensive monoblocks in the SET WYETECH LAB RUBIES ZERO FEEDBACK , 36 RMS , AND NOW PICKED UP A PAIR OF WYRED FOR SOUND 1000 WATT MONOBLOCKS , AND THE BASS AND DETAIL ON THE CLASS D AMPS GIVES THE SET AMPS OR PUSH PULL AMPS A HUGE RUN FOR THE MONEY , I WISH IT WERENT SO , BUT HEARING IS BELIEVING
pavpet
121 posts
 
Listening to wyred for the last month , difference between wyred and wytech ruby mono blocks , wyred $2995 , ruby $25000 , can't pick out the differences they are that close ,doing A B tests for 3 weeks nothing stands out in either one , will keep trying
pavpet
121 posts
 
Kijanki your right on the money,the Tim distortions can be very can be very fatiguing without noticing it
pavpet
121 posts
 
lots of great thought in this forum discussing class d amplifiers, being an audiophile since 1970 , and owning very expensive gear , its nice to purchase a product at a very very resonable price , and make magic , the wyetech ruby monoblocks list for approx $25000, plus ive installed 1942 rca 211 radiotron tubes , ( took out stock tubes as well as input tubes)AT an additional $3300 , plus upgraded power cords , but thats the audiophile journey , this i know , but now and then its nice to get a breath of fresh air ,without getting a second mortgage. guys thanks for all your input very much appreciated
pavpet
121 posts
 
at low listening levels CLASS D AMPS , sound so good , as the s/n is very very very good , compared to class A/B AMPS , SO YOU PICK UP TONS OF MICRO DETAIL THAT GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS

LOW NOISE FLOOR NOW VERY VERY BIG, AND HAS BEEN FOR ALONG TIME , NOW ITS BEING REDISCOVERED AS AMPS ARE BECOMMING REAL REAL GOOD
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