ucd400 st or coldamp

[Session]

I can get 2 ucd400 ST or 2 COLDAMP for the same price. What do I choose?

Mery x-mas!!

[theAnonymous1]

Well, I think the choice is obvious.

[luka]

Originally Posted by theAnonymous1

Well, I think the choice is obvious.

It is? I would probably in the eng go with ucd, but i'm sure nothing is wrong with coldamp

[theAnonymous1]

Originally Posted by luka

It is?

Yes.

Given the choice of one vs the other, I see no good reason to choose Coldamp over Hypex.

I don't think you can go wrong with either though. Wish I could afford a pair!

[Session]

Even though we keep in mind this is ST and not HG?

[luka]

also based on where you like, maybe ucd would be better choice

[Ltralus]

Actually you can go wrong with one of them. Engineering has no political correction factor, folks.

[luka]

Originally Posted by Ltralus

Actually you can go wrong with one of them.

explain

[glt]

See postings from bgt, like this one: MCD-255 amp

[Ltralus]

Originally Posted by luka

explain

While engineering has no political correction factor, commercial forums such as this most certainly do. Given that, it would be best if perhaps you explained your assertion of their equivalence. We may then look to the third party measurements one manufacturer was embarrassed by, but as they provide none of their own it's the most we've got to work with when making an informed decision. Following that can be a discussion on the perils of poor layout decisions in a class d environment, as someone who had a forum design over 90% of their product is likely to make. Much of that you can spot with the naked eye if you know what to look for. Putzeys has an article detailing these very things, which was inspired by this very amp.

Glt, I would put no faith in that. It's too much akin to saying if you cut everybody's legs off at the knees we'd all be the same (?). Somehow it just denies big picture.

Session, bear in mind the ST was the basis for the HG. The HG is quite a bit nicer, but they share the very same solid foundation. The HG is demonstrative of the kind of potential the ST holds if you're so inclined.

In stock form it has all the desirable features of an audio amplifier that many others struggle with like flat load independent frequency response, and virtually load independent low distortion. Critical to performance and somewhat rare in the field as its mastery over EMI. That translates to higher sound quality and ease of use from (ab)user perspective.

The main steps required to take it well beyond the standard or even the AD quality level would be a high quality, well regulated auxiliary supply to feed the input stage with, and of course addressing the electrolytic AC coupling capacitor issue. These are both simple and affordable as you really don't have to go all out on expensive or exotic components to reap the majority of the benefits from doing it. It is unlikely that "alternatives" have such potential to unlock at all, let alone so simply, and it's the combination of everything that makes the choice so obvious. Even the ST can still be a giant killer.