Test data graphs consolidated for 12 popular power amps (class D, AB, H and AAA)

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NicoGal

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Joined 2013
#1
Hi all, I took some Swedes' cravings for high class D amplification and finished a group buy of Anaview AMS1000 modules over at faktiskt.se (thread reboots here, Google translate if you're interested, we got them for ~$250+VAT each) and during the wait I gathered a few measurements from good power amps in class D, AB, H and AAA that are frequently discussed and recommended at faktiskt.se (especially NAD 208, Bryston 4B SST and Rotel RB-1090).

This may not be the best forum for all these commercial products' test data but since nCore, Anaview and IRAUD350 are represented I hope some may find some value in the graphs. If nothing else feel good about their bang-for-the-buck purchase 😉

Sources may or may not approve my consolidation effort but I guess S'phile or SoundstageNetwork et al. will not do this kind of comparison anytime soon so here we go..

Notes/Disclaimers:
  • All models does not have data from all test types
  • NAD 208 have very limited data but is still included for above stated reason.
  • "(2ch)" after the model name indicates that 2 channels are driven, in contrast with more common one channel.
  • "(10kHz)" after the model name indicates that 10kHz is the used, in contrast with the common 1kHz.
  • Tool used: WebPlotDigitizer app
  • Reddish-yellow lines are class AB/AAA and blueish-white are class D (H is green) BUT, Excel screws with this every time I add a new amp so don't expect the colors to always match.. 😡
  • the text "kkr" in each dataset's name is for thousand SEK so divide by ~8,5 and multiply by 1000 to get rough USD market (used if old gear).
  • Dotted lines are amps in BTL mode
  • More test graphs are coming (not all uploaded today) and more amps added, let me know with a test link if you want a specific one. 😎
  • Work started on a web page similar to Build A Graph | headphone.com with all data and end user selections for comparisons etc

Tests consolidated 🙂checked: = "uploaded")
  1. Frequency response :checked:
  2. THD+N vs Power (8 :checked: and 4 ohm)
  3. THD+N vs Frequency response (at ~2W, ~20W, ~max output)
  4. Some focused part of the main graphs to better see details
  5. Rough price per watt at clipping

Class AB
Class D
Class AAA


Frequency response (please note the resolution of the source images are limiting and somewhat distorting the "perfect horizontal" graphs 20~9000Hz for most models):
FR.PNG

THD+N vs Power (8ohm, 1kHz, 1ch driven)
THDvsWatt8ohm_all.PNG

THD+N vs Power close up for 0.03% THD+N and rough clipping power, rounded to nearest 5W (8ohm, 1kHz, 1ch driven)
THDvsWatt8ohm_all_closeUp.PNG

:cheers:
 
#5
Thank you for gathering this interesting data.
The Benchmark/THX AAA amp is an impressive device for sure!

Regarding nc400 data, I think it would be fare to use the data from the official spec sheet as this is what is used for the nc500 and anaview modules.
 
#7
Pos, thanks for the appreciation. Regarding NC400 I went with "worst case" and think that 3rd party measurements trumps the manufacturer but perhaps it's more fair to change..or better, I'll add those datasets in the next update.
 
#10
Some have one (NC400), some don't (NC500, AMS1000) but "need" would be depending on your source output impedance and cable length/resistance. For example, pair a AMS1000 (1,37kOhm - 14,5kOhm) with a DacMagic (<50Ohm) and the frequency variation would be less than ~0,6dB.
 
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