Can class D amps compete with class A?

[john dozier]

Can any of the class D amps compete sonically with class A amps? If so which ones specifically. I currently use tube amps but would like to try class D if they can provide SOTA sound quality. Thanks

[CBS240]

Generally speaking in terms of distortion, doubtful. Now if you can use a class D topology to cascode a class A amp you might have something there.

[kevinh]

The things that you hear in a class A amp and good tube amps is a lack of crossover distortion and distortion that is primarily 2nd and third harmonic. So you would like to see the same things in a class D amp.

The new Hypex NCore that is coming out looks interesting.

[wushuliu]

Originally Posted by john dozier

Can any of the class D amps compete sonically with class A amps? If so which ones specifically. I currently use tube amps but would like to try class D if they can provide SOTA sound quality. Thanks

Yes. Of course, there are all kinds of tube amps (and class d amps), good and bad.

The classdaudio.com amps are a good way to start. Quite a few people rate them equal or better to their tube gear. There's a mammoth thread here

One of many reviews here. Note the frenchman comparing to an $8000 amp further down.

I have a SimpleSe tube amp that I love but I can't say that it is better than the classdaudio (CDA-254) with Connexelectronic SMPS with DCB1 buffer I had before it. That setup had a special sound all it own. Just a question of taste. Anyone who thinks class d is still sub-par is not paying attention to the rapid rate of development.

[john dozier]

That is exactly the type of info I was seeking. Thanks! I would also like to know if anyone has used the Hypex modules as I understand they are also excellent. Kindest regards

[nwboater]

What we unfortunately don't have are people with several types of amps to give good comparisons. I'm not interested in tube amps - built some in the 50s and 60s and long ago gave up on them. But it would sure be helpful if we had more comparisons between the different Class D amps, for example ClassD Audio and HiFiMeDIY.

And for the topic of this thread any of you that have both Class A & Class D amps to post your impressions.

Thanks to any of you that can contribute.

Rod

[dewardh]

Originally Posted by kevinh

The things that you hear in a class A amp and good tube amps is a lack of crossover distortion . . . you would like to see the same things in a class D amp.

Exactly. The flaw that characterizes most (though not all) "solid state" amps is crossover distortion . . . and class D amps (like class A, but for different reasons) don't have it. A weakness of many class D designs is low load immunity . . . high frequency response can vary depending on the loudspeaker impedance. This is not an issue if you are carefull matching amp to speaker . . . class D is near ideal for "active" systems where the amp is almost by definition "matched" to the load . . . but it can be an issue to watch for if you are in the habit of constantly switching loudspeakers. IMO there is simply no audible improvement to be had over an IRS2092 based amp properly matched to a single driver . . . and they are certainly inexpensive enough to be used that way, as a complete amplifier board can easily cost less than a single foil inductor or or beautique capacitor in a "passive" crossover.

[ad010685]

To John and others, if you would trust my music lover ears, i would be able to compare an Aleph clone to a optimized Tripath based amp which is on the way to be operative .
I think will be able to post opinion around Xmas time. Come back to you.
Cheers

[john dozier]

I would love to hear your opinions! Regards and happy holidays.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by ad010685

To John and others, if you would trust my music lover ears, i would be able to compare an Aleph clone to a optimized Tripath based amp which is on the way to be operative .
I think will be able to post opinion around Xmas time. Come back to you.
Cheers

Many years ago I had a smile when LC questioned amp designers for continuing with the "classical" amp technology as compared to the new class-D technology. It has been so many years, still I have a smile reading posts like this

To my believe, Tripath can only be good for non-sensitive ears. Audiophile ears should be able to hear or detect something wrong with the sound of this amp, and thus directly reject it. It's about who is listening to it. I know who will accept it and who will not.

Good ears will be questioning the chance of class-D amps to compete. Not sonically, but...