What is the "State of the Art" today?

[Out_of_phase]

Hi I am new in this forum. I tried to search for threads to answer my question but I really cant find it so...

What is the current "State of the Art" in Class-D amplification. My only selfexperience is Tripath Class-T.

Could we gather news about Class-D amplifiers in this thread? New chips, new products, etc?

Best Regards,
Peter

[Tekko]

TI´s TAS5162 chip, B&O icepower, hypex UcD, tripath.

[The golden mean]

The state of the art amps might be out of reach for the ordinary
diy-person. In thinking of amps like Kharma Matrix MP150 or Kharma Exquisite MP 350.
For what it´s worth here´s a review:http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...arma_mp150.htm
Of course, there may be members arguing against my statement.


As this seems to be a Swedish discussion so far (for once) here´s a link to a Swedish site as well:
http://www.euphonia-audioforum.se/fo...showtopic=4428


And finally; a link to some of the discussion taking place in TAS about the issue: http://www.avguide.com/features/clas...mpressions.php

Disclaimer. I distrust Hifi magazines to a great extent. To much non-evidence declarations for my taste. It can be due to lack of knowledge and/or commercial considerations.

[lne937s]

To quote the article about the Karma

"Bruno Putzeys, the lead engineer behind the Class D project at Dutch giant Phillips Electronics, and the man who developed the patent on which the MP150s are based, now works for Kharma and headed up the MP150 design team. "

To my knowledge Bruno still works for Hypex. Looking at the article, I have a feeling that the Karma is another application of the UcD circuit...

[The golden mean]

Well; the author (Marshall Nack) may not be as well-informed as he ought to be, and if so he is a part of a far to common phenomena in the world of Hi-fi journalism.
I think Bruno worked for Kharma on a consultant basis (he may tell us).
I don´t think these amps to be "straight Hypex" amps, but some more sophistication's has gone with them. Maybe discrete input stages, still self oscillation but with some "refinements"; e g better component. Just my guess. The circuit will probably remain a secret for a long time.......

[planet10]

Currently, State-of-the-Art in Class D is a moving radiply target.

dave

[raintalk]

Class-d itself is state of the art.

Amplifiers in general have already exceeded what human hearing can discern.

High efficiency, high reliability, low cost is state of the art

Just my $.02

[Pan]

I would doubt that Bruno Putzeys "work for Kharma". What I do know and believe is that Bruno is part owner in sveral companies and consult for others.

About class D being SOTA.. it's not since linear amps perform better, expecially in the top octaves.

Few amps have a performance level that make them sonically transparent btw.


/Peter

[planet10]

Originally posted by raintalk
Class-d itself is state of the art.
Amplifiers in general have already exceeded what human hearing can discern.

ROFLOL... funny that one.

dave

[The golden mean]

Originally posted by raintalk
Class-d itself is state of the art.

Amplifiers in general have already exceeded what human hearing can discern.

High efficiency, high reliability, low cost is state of the art

Just my $.02

Amplifiers are like humans i.e. individuals. They interact with their load or even with their source.

Human hearing varies from individual to individual. Even what we consider noise, unbearable sound or just enjoyable music varies.

Much research has to be carried out to understand why amps do not sound the same, even if they almost measure the same.

Long live human hearing! We can´t emulate the hearing of bats, dogs or cats but we (most of us) are pretty clever in spite of this.