Brewmaster,
No cardboard in my new 1200AS1 dual mono amps. But, if you like I will put some in for you.
Class D is affordable and sounds as good or better the SS/Valve why buy anything else ?
Who cares about 127dB dynamic range? Seriously. Especially if the first 2 watts are colored by switching noise distortion, like every single one I've ever seen measurements for is. Sorry. Class D isn't high fidelity. Not even remotely interested in an amp that's belting out .05% switching distortion at 1 watt. |
kosst_amojan Good point regarding .05% switching distortion at 1 watt. If that is the case then what i am hearing with my Class D amps is the best damn distortion i have ever heard. I have sold off my SS Monos and VT stereo, i have now got the money put aside for my new Universal Disc Player, i have purchased new cables equipment supports, which has improved the sound even further, plus i have lots of spare money to buy more music i love collecting first press Japan cds and the mini lps with obi strips love em. Most importantly for me is the improvement in sound quality of my system, when auditioning the class D amp nothing else had been changed in my system, the class D using Hypex NC500 out performed my mega buck SS and VT amplifiers in all areas. Before investing in mega buck SS Valve/VT everybody needs to hear the very latest state of the art class D in their systems and trust their own ears, i am so glad i did. If that is distortion i am hearing call me 100% all in, long live better sounding distortion and the good news is there is promise of even better sound using GaN Devices "times they are a changing". |
latitk Here is a list of class D with GaN Devices The use of GaN-based power transistor tech is now emerging for Class D audio power amplifiers. Seems appropriate to devote a forum thread to this topic. At least 3 companies have commercial class D amps in their books: Merrill Audio, with their model Element 118 ($36k per monoblock, 400 W into 8 ohms, 800W into 4 ohms), Element 116 ($22k per monoblock, 300 W into 8 ohms, 600W into 4 ohms) and Element 114 (coming soon). https://merrillaudio.net Review of Element 118 at this link: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1018/Merrill_Audio_Element_118_Monoblock_Amplif... ADG Productions, with their Vivace Class D amp ($15k per monoblock pair, 100W into 4 ohms). (The designer emailed me indicating he has another product in the pipeline.) http://agdproduction.com Review of the Vivace Class D moniblocks at this link (warning: link might not work (1/11/2019)): https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/agd-production-vivace-gantube-monoblock-ampli... Technics SE-R1 Class D stereo amp ($17k per stereo amp, 150WPC into 8 ohms, 300WPC into 4 ohms) Stereo Power Amplifier SE-R1 | Reference Class R1 Series | Technics US Preliminary review of the Technics SE-R1 at this link: Technics SE-R1 Digital Amplifier Technics also has a lower priced GaN-based class D integrated amp in their catalog: Grand Class Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-G700 Hi-Fi Audio | Technics US |
As stated above prices are high with state of the art Class D Amplifiers using GaN Devices but the hope is there for lower prices in the future, My class D amplifiers are not using GaN Devices but their sound quality allowed me to sell on my higher priced SS and VT amplifiers, before the market becomes flooded. |