ICEpower Digital Switching Amps?

First off, I did register as a manufacturer. I appeared here as I received a number of e-mails and phone calls about my products, which were mentioned in another thread. I am mainly here to discuss amps in general, more than to promote myself or my products. If there is a search function, you can find the posts that I first appeared in. If not, look for the one about experiences with "digital switching amps".

As for power supplies.............

We have not found that there is a major difference between modules when powered by linear supplies vs. ones powered by the onboard SMPS on the ASP series. This is not to say that differences do not exist. But compared to the effect that suppies have on linear amps, they are less sensitive. See my comments in another thread about power supply caps. I have a huge collection of caps that should have worked, but sounded like dreck.

An amp is really nothing more than a modulated power supply. On switching amps, the switching stage acts more like a power supply than does the output stage of a Class AB amp, which pretty much acts as variable resistor stuck between the output and the supply. Therefore, the AB types are more sensitive to what happens ahead of the output stage.

I base my comments that switching amps sound more alike on these effects. You are of course free to be of a different opinion, but listening plus designing trumps listening only in my book.

OK?

Ar_t...You said "An amp is really nothing more than a modulated power supply". Very true. In fact, long before digital audio amps were invented the manufacturer of an IEEE controlled bench DC power supply demonstrated the slew rate of his product at trade fairs by playing music through it! I'm told it sounded pretty good.

Thanks for the clues, Pat. I was a bit lazy myself by not doing the search. I can understand your reluctance to contribute anything that might be construed as a sales pitch.

Ar t You still seem to be arguing your first point here. That is, given there is little difference between modular amps, the buyer should base their purchasing decision on, "Price, looks, support, features, and comfort level with the company that you chose to buy from will most likely be what your decision is based on."

I, and anyone who has heard a variety of those amps on my system, disagree. Their is a sonic hierarchy, just like with solid state and tube amps. One should buy the best sounding amp within their budget. That doesn't mean necessarily the most expensive one.

I'd say, if a buyer can, he should listen to his prospective purchase on his own system.

If you want, you can send one of your amps here for a group listen. There are a good number of good ears here, including one reviewer.

As a distant observer, Ar_t's stereo amp and the H20 appear to be similar in concept. A listening session with both would be informative. One might also include the CI Audio D200 monos, since they also use toroids.