1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 140387-15288

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
ranjithkp
9 posts
 
GaN based class D amplifiers in my opinion.
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

Hi Jafant

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving! Any new music I should pick up? I'm playing Puss N Boots "No Fools No Fun" this morning to get things rolling.

take care

MG

kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
@aolmrd1241 

Nobody has actually ever seen a subatomic particle, but people earn graduate degrees studying them. Having heard a class D amp, which I'm certain I have, is hardly a prerequisite to understanding how the technology works. We don't require car mechanics to be engineers or formula 1 drivers, do we? A comprehension of CMOS and material science or advanced driving techniques isn't required to replace an alternator or transmission. They merely need to grasp the basics of how the technology works. It's a basic logical inconsistency to presume that one must have advanced driving skills to be a competent mechanic, and that's the same logical inconsistency you're trying to assert here.

 I'm pretty sure the technology was all I was talking about except for the last bit where I injected my personal opinion on preferring simple, linear topologies with simple, low order distortion. I am right in saying that class D doesn't do that very well. Almost nothing I said is up for debate or rooted in my opinion or experience. Those are technical facts that have nothing to do with listening. I think you're just attacking me because you don't like how I described what class D amps do. It certainly doesn't sound pretty. Lots of people like sausage, but making it isn't a pretty process. Grilling up a filet minion is a much more pleasant experience, like class A. 

If you like class D, cool. I'm personally not interested in it on the sonic or technological level. I think the job of an amplifier is more than behaving like a straight wire with gain. 
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

There are "top end" amps in A, AB and D, have been for quite a while. Not sure I understand why that would make anyone unhappy. I think it's pretty cool, both from a vintage point of view and newer designs.

Michael

Why people get upset over music? Very strange folks!

erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
There are "top end" amps in A, AB and D, have been for quite a while. Not sure I understand why that would make anyone unhappy. I think it's pretty cool, both from a vintage point of view and newer designs.

Agreed.
I think a large part of this is aesthetic and manliness. Imagine in 10,000 years, if man still exists, that audio technology reduces the top end audio and multi channel systems to the size of a book.

Would we still be desperate to own the latest?

E
More to discover