What's up with new HK receivers? Are they class D?
cnh
Posts: 13,284
I was at the infamous BB the other day and I picked up (no I didn't buy but lifted it) an HK 1700 and it felt like it didn't weigh much more than 10 pounds and certainly well below 20 pounds. I tried to look inside. I couldn't see much in the way of a power transformer there and was wondering where the storage caps were. But then again, it is hard to see through those tiny vents.
I came home and went to their site where they were talking about "digital power supplies" and Green Edge technology? So I clicked on the trusty google search engine and came across this review:
http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/harman-kardon-700-1700
From the review:
The physically larger AVR 1700, rated at 100 watts per channel, weighs in at 12.8 pounds, which is significantly less than the AVR 700, rated for 75 watts per channel, at 20 pounds. Harman ascribes the difference to the use of a custom designed switching power supply in the AVR 1700 and bills this as eco-friendly due to higher efficiency, while the AVR 700 uses a traditional linear amplifier power supply design. It is worth noting that switching power supplies, while more efficient, often involve compromises that are typically considered undesirable in audio applications when cost is a limiting factor. Perhaps Harman has managed to overcome or minimized some of these shortcomings with a clever bit of engineering, but without independent testing and careful comparison listening, one cannot say if such is the case just based on marketing materials.
I know that a switching amp often signifies a digital amp. But does just having a "switching power supply" qualify as class D amplification? Does anyone know what HK is doing here. Or could expand on this?
cnh
I came home and went to their site where they were talking about "digital power supplies" and Green Edge technology? So I clicked on the trusty google search engine and came across this review:
http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/harman-kardon-700-1700
From the review:
The physically larger AVR 1700, rated at 100 watts per channel, weighs in at 12.8 pounds, which is significantly less than the AVR 700, rated for 75 watts per channel, at 20 pounds. Harman ascribes the difference to the use of a custom designed switching power supply in the AVR 1700 and bills this as eco-friendly due to higher efficiency, while the AVR 700 uses a traditional linear amplifier power supply design. It is worth noting that switching power supplies, while more efficient, often involve compromises that are typically considered undesirable in audio applications when cost is a limiting factor. Perhaps Harman has managed to overcome or minimized some of these shortcomings with a clever bit of engineering, but without independent testing and careful comparison listening, one cannot say if such is the case just based on marketing materials.
I know that a switching amp often signifies a digital amp. But does just having a "switching power supply" qualify as class D amplification? Does anyone know what HK is doing here. Or could expand on this?
cnh
Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
Post edited by cnh on
Comments
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Nope it's an A/B class amp with a switch-mode power supply. I have one coming to me to replace my broken down H/K AVR 7550. I am somewhat regretting my swap except for the continual problems I'm always reading about the 7550.Pioneer vsx-1120k, B&K Sonata series video-5 amplifier, Polk Rti8, Fxi3, Csi5, and HSU VTF-1
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I didnt know BB sold HK that tells ya how long its been since ive been there.seems like lots of cheesy stuff there.Topsham BB is 1/2 the size it use ta be says the Mrs..
