Class D Technology


So I get the obvious strengths of Class D. Efficiency, power output & running cool which allows for small form factors. I also understand the weaknesses somewhat. 1. Non-linear & lots of distortion that needs to be cleaned up with an output filter. 
So my question is, if it weren't for efficiency & power, would there be any reason to own a Class D amp? Do they beat Class A in any other categories that count for sound quality?  
seanheis1
So much noise about nothing of real consequence.

I will of course look forward to improvements in switching frequency under the assumption that things will get even better overall down the road at least on paper. How much difference it makes practically is TBD.

George I do think you are too obsessed with this one technical issue. You should do a study to see if class d amp sound quality correlates strongly to switching frequency alone. To hell with all the rest that goes into these things if that is all the story. 
You should do a study to see if class d amp sound quality correlates strongly to switching frequency alone.
I have, done numerous bench/listening tests, and tried to come up with my own cascaded output filters like Belcanto I believe did with their 600ref monos, but doing filters this way has a other set of problems (interactive ringing) if your familiar trying cascaded filters for speaker xovers.
Mark Levinson with their no53 also tried it but that fell a bit foul with a Stereophile review/measurements.

Cheers George
 New class AB amp from Benchmark ABH2 also utilizes SMPS resulting in 132dB dynamic range.  
They had to cut costs somewhere to hit that $2995 price point. The dynamic range and THD numbers, while appearing to be unusually good, may be partly the result of using too much negative feedback. I've never heard this amp, but too much negative feedback and you can end up with a soulless amp.