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The Future of Audio Amplification

I have recently paired an Audio Research DS225 Class D amplifier with an Audio Research tube preamplifier (SP8 mkii). I cannot believe how wonderful and lifelike my music sounds. The DS225 replaced an Audio Research SD135 Class AB amplifier. Perhaps the SD135 is just not as good as some of the better quality amps that are out there, but it got me thinking that amazingly wonderful sonance can be achieved with a tubed pre and Class D amp. I have a hunch that as more people experience this combination, it will likely catch on and become the future path of many, if not most audiophile systems. It is interesting that Audio Research has been at the forefront of this development.
distortions
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
I have 3 Class D amps in the house now that retail for $6000, $2000 and $75.    Guess what?   Even $75 buys a very good sounding Class D amp these days easily as  good or better than other older SS  amps costing several times that 40 years  ago. 

I use an ARC  tube pre-amp with the $6000 amps and yes very nice!  I will probably dump tubes altogether again though someday as I continue to downsize and discover viable alternatives. 
mrdecibel
1,244 posts
 
No question that digital has come a long way. 
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

There's no stopping the Audiophile. I say Audiophile as opposed to HEA Audiophile. The audiophile mainstream is no longer associated with high price and heavy and is only going to increase in this direction, there's no turning back. I for one am thrilled, and say "about time". Well actually said "about time" in 1997 but if you talked like this back then it was too prophetic even though the insiders knew the change would have to come.

Michael Green

kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
I have no idea what you're talking about, Mike, as in, you don't really construct meaningful sentences that reflect a thought. 

Nelson Pass relayed a story at BA of a rep who came by the shop and tried to sell him on building with class D modules. He kinda chuckled, told the guy that's not what we do here, and showed him the door. Ain't nobody trying to build a class A amp that sounds like a class D amp. Nobody has ever said "That sounds almost as good as class D!". 

If anything the trend in better audio has been veering towards more and more simple, linear topologies. Class D isn't considered by anybody to be a superior way to amplify sound. Class D is the solution to a set of problems where sound isn't the only concern. For instance, if you need to meet government regulations like those coming down in Europe, or if you need to stuff a very small amp someplace with very little air flow. 

Getting a real nice signal with an untortured distortion signature is tricky enough to do with conventional linear topologies. I think the best class D will ever be is almost as good as class AB or A. 
ebm
5,165 posts
 
Jump on class d i will stick with A/AB as it sounds much better in my high resolution system.Enjoy though!!
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