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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
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

I'm happy to see this thread becoming more civil and moving toward the common good, that's awesome! This is such an important thread I was hoping this would happen.

My part in this will be strictly listening and applying mechanics to the samples I receive. I have several amps in route to me now and several more being designed for me (Class D).

In my listening so far I have found the same issue with Class D as I have with the other Classes, so for my listening I have removed the chassis. I am pro-fields not dampened fields.

mg

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
Along with Texas Instruments (TI), looks like Analog Devices is also getting into the manufacture of the GaN technology 
  https://www.analog.com/en/applications/technology/gan.html

Cheers George
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

Hi George

It's all developing so fast now, we will have a completely different paradigm in our lives as listeners within a very short time.

MG

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audiolover718
121 posts
 
My class D ARC DS450 was a honey of an amp. Full of power, with an extremely tight and controlled sound. I completely appreciate the virtues of class D, especially having owned a quality class D myself. However, now that I have all tubes, with a REF 75se, even with a huge decrease in wattage, I am more satisfied with the sound. I can hear more emotion, less grain, and the sound soothes me. It’s a win win. I have no doubt that class D is the future, but after hearing all tubes, I’m willing to live in the past, at least until class D is perfected and gives the same goosebumps as tubes.
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