The Truth about Modern Class D

@stereo5 Then consider me one of the lucky one’s.

Sighted or blind, I cannot hear a difference between them an Parasound A23s. None. Zero. Nada.

So, since it is my wallet and tastes that pay those bills, I’d rather go with the more energy efficient one.

And in fact I prefer the sound far over and above the sound of Pass. Same for Parasound vs. Pass. :)

But it isn’t because of anything I can hear as "class D sound."

You don't have to like a particular amp, but I think being dismissive of them as a class is short sighted. 

@timlub 

Parts Express is now selling ICEpower modules directly and for cheap. :) 

Best,

E

audiothesis : 

Aha! :) 

I knew you were one of those OTL scoundrels! 

J/k : But the truth is if OTL is what you like, then talking about good Class D amps is not going to be your cup of tea.

Best,

E

Old school, get professional help from GIK,

and don't neglect the flooring, between and behind the speakers. Try using pillows and blankets to test with for free.  :) 

Best,

Erik

@georgehif - You should start your own magazine, because even though you don't like Class D you are in every single discussion about it. Call it: 

"Why I can't move past 30 year old arguments." 

Best,

E

I would like to explain to everyone why heavier than air flight is impossible, you cannot transmit radio signals across a vacuum and transistors will never be useful. Bear with me as I gather the relevant quotes.

I have no time to read your comments, but to show my respect I am going to paste a long lecture here on what I think on the subject.

The Squires method is superior in every way to any previous method. In terms of refinement and air and presence, the Squires method just cannot be compared to any other method.

It has on occasion caused premature births however and needs to be used with caution. Also lights in your room may shift slightly red, undetectable to most. If you aren’t paying attention you will absolutely miss it.


<< rolls his eyes >>

Because they still apply today, but there’s light on the horizon

This is, in fact, too ridiculous to satire.

@stereo5 -

I’d suggest you make your specifics known. What Class D and what are you comparing it to?

Because the ICEpower I’m listening to sound nothing but warm. The NAD D 3020 sound a touch brighter, but not unpleasantly so.

There’s nothing in your original statement specific enough for me to believe you are being sincere. If you are, state your experience.

I could say the same about tubes. "Tubes are not high end, but maybe someday..." 

Does that make me a horrible person because I don’t like them? I enjoy the lush romantic sound I get from Mac and since I am spending my money on it, what I like counts (to me).

Absolutely not. But the specifics help everyone understand where you are coming from and what you are comparing to, and give a lot more insight to your story.

My NAD D 3020 is hooked up to a pair of Monitor Audio, which are much more laid back, which may explain the difference in appreciation for it. :)

As I myself have noted, if I had all the $$$ and space I’d buy some CJ which are going to be even more euphonic than your Macs. I still like my ICEpower monoblocks though. I certainly could not point to them and say "look, Class D sound!" 

Thanks for sharing,


Erik

There are certain things I cannot argue with. Personal choice for specific amplifiers and speakers. That’s fine.

My argument was not "you should like Class D more than your favorite" but that Class D as a whole is just as good as capable and musical as any other solid state amps, with a lot of the same pitfalls. The technology has in fact arrived for good, and we are better for it. 

@helomech I’ve had Parasound Halo amps. I traded them for ICEpower amps which in my environment sounded equivalent.

Can you tell us about the speakers you evaluated with when you say the Parasound took the Devialet to school?

PS - I like Parasound a great deal. This is not about trashing them.

helomech - 

So you heard Parasound and Devialet amps on Magnepans and did not like the Devialet. 

That is 1 single sample of a specific Class D amplifier you did not like. Is that correct? 

Erik 

While there are a lot of logical mistakes we can make, what I cannot argue with is listening. 

Buy what you like. 

The problem is not dead time, or notch distortion. The problem is audibility and connecting that to any particular technical choice. 

What I mean is, all amplifiers, even all musical instruments, have "flaws." To some they may not be flaws, to some they may be "attributes." We can argue about them forever but the importance of any flaw has to do with it's audibility. 

We can talk about ways to mitigate "dead time" forever, but that does not make the issue audible. 

One thing that Revel and Bose both do incredibly well is to pay attention to technology not for it's own sake but for audibility and desirability. We could learn from these approaches. 

Best,

E

I think both switching speeds and dead time have yet to be shown to lend any particular character to any particular amplifier.

Prove either is audible and unpleasant first. Then you might get me to care about either. 

I flew into the LA airport this morning. I saw a guy outside with a sign: 

"Planes can't fly!" 

I said "Hello, George." 

Unfortunately, this book is now out of print, but I think it would remind us of where we are :

https://amzn.to/2M0bBLB

The truth is class D is totally mediocre.If you think its great jump on an amp ASAP!!!!

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@ebm 

Blanket statements like this, without qualifying them with your experience, and speakers used are entirely unhelpful. Want to fill this in with what you find not-mediocre, and what Class D you have heard? 

Best,

E

It’s simple. You cannot put anything into the air besides a hot air balloon. At best you can create a glider and glide down from above, but the idea that you could build a machine heavier than air that could hold a person a motor and fuel combined is ridiculous.

Just think of the weight of the fuel alone! Gasoline weighs over six pounds per gallon. To have enough gasoline to push against the ground with a motor or fan of some sort would require monstrous gasoline consumption.

It is utterly ridiculous to imagine that you could do anything useful with a machine and flight. The machine itself, the motor, the fuel and the pilot simply are not sustainable.

Not only is it physically impossible, but dear god, it’s a foolish venture to attempt to make such death traps into a business. You could never produce an actual plane that could carry itself for long, let alone cargo, people, or get anyone to pay to have the gargo moved that way. Anyone who shipped via an airplane would surely loose their valuable posessions that way.  And comfort? What kind of comfort could you experience from falling out of the sky?

No, sir, no. It is clear that rational human beings should stick to balloons.

@celander 

Thanks, bud. 

That was some of the most ridiculous and inappropriately placed piece of snake oil selling I've seen in a long while. 

Best,

E

It WILL NEVER be as good as tubes,class a or good a/b NEVER!!!

Disco is NOT dead! Disco is life!! - Tony P., Mystery Men