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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
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 

Thank you 213runnin for that delightful bit of purple prose. I should like to counter with my favorite -- if admittedly pessimistic -- quote from our own Rodman99999...

　

"Just don't fall into the category of those whose minds, like concrete, are thoroughly mixed, and permanently set"

RODMAN99999

　

Yet things might not be quite as bad as that... Get out of the house a bit, get some fresh air.... You might even discover that the Earth ain't flat.

　

Saluti, G.

　

　

　

　

　

213runnin
562 posts
 
Thanks for that, guido.  My mind used to be made up, back when I thought cables made no difference and all amps were pretty much the same, a bit of propaganda pushed hard on the Avs site. 

Now I’m more of the school that believes everything matters.  On that score I’m sure I’d be quite happy with a pair of Bel Canto monoblocks, or any other class d amp that is designed well.

live and let live.  Surely everyone can choose for themselves without silly threads announcing that class A/B is dead, however.  
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 

Hello 213, I am completely with you on the subject of class A and A/B ill-conceived conjectures of their imminent demise... There are amazingly wonderful amplifiers from all classes and topologies.


While I remain an unapologetic fan of the Rowland house sound, during my visits at RMAF I was totally mesmerized by the tone of Soulution SS amps and by the ARC tubed reference series.


In the class D domain, the Bel Canto Black series is a fb example of high end amplification.... And Merrill Audio has introduced a brand new series of amplifiers based on a class D circuit of Merrill's own design... I had the fortune of having an early prototype of the Merrill Element 118 in my system during last spring, and while the prototype still displayed some minor teething issues, Element 118 certainly showed high promise, and the final product would be worth considering.


Really, the "my amp class's bigger'n'better'n yourn game is so much hogwash!


There are some top flight amps out there.... class a, ab, d, tubed, and so forth... Their tonal character and musicality is typically unique to the brand and to their design and execution, not so much to their class of operation.


Besides, what I enjoy need not be what everyone else loves.... Let's value diversity in this beautiful hobby of ours.


Saluti, G.


  


  

tweak1
870 posts
 
When I said sell your class A, AB, tube amps NOW before you can only get pennies on the dollar, what I meant was $5,000+++ amplifiers days are over, at least for anyone who does a modicum of research prior to purchase, or who expects commensurate value before spending 2-3-4++ times the money, or who isn't suffering from Napoleon issues.

Each day that I follow this thread and listen to my system with a lowly Audio Alchemy stereo amp (MSRP $2K) and then listen with an even more critical ear, I remain amazed at the sweet sound it produces IN MY CURRENT SYSTEM. When I bought the Hattor XLR passive pre I experienced a impedance mismatch, which I resolved by getting the AA matching DAC//Pre

Again, I refer anyone to the March 2016 review, wherein Robert Harley compares the AA kit to Soulution EXTREMELY favorably (same designer). Of course, if one's system tends toward bright then, who knows?  And I am well aware that older Class D tech left a lot to be desired

Now that all said, I admit to wanting to explore more class D options. Nord's NC MK II monos are drawing me near, but funds ddo not llow me to get them without first selling mine, which I would not do as it provides so much musical pleasure
lhasaguy's avatar
lhasaguy
95 posts
 
Interestingly, I have a pair of McIntosh 501s that are worth over $5,000 that I bought 10 years ago.   Sell, I think not.

What is you 10 year old class D expensive amp worth today?

Tweak1, think before you condemn other amp types to the dustbin.

McIntosh will be alive and well 10 ulyears from now.  Academic research has proven the best predictor of will you be in business next year is how long you have been in business.  For McIntosh that is 70 years.

I shall not bash other equipment types, but know the imbedded customer base for both tube and SS McIntosh amps is not going anywhere.
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