Digital amps

Systems

heiney9 wrote: »

The clean, sterile, detached, etched sound wears thin after awhile. So I wouldn't go selling any stash just yet.

Are you suggesting all Class D sounds as you describe above,or are you talking specifically about a certain model you have expierience with?

heiney9

GV#27 wrote: »

Are you suggesting all Class D sounds as you suggest above,or are you talking specifically about a certain model you have expierience with?

I know better than to say all , there are no absolutes in this hobby. But a class D or Tripath amp will never sound like a single ended class A amp or tubes, hence my description.

H9

Systems

heiney9 wrote: »

"There are no absolutes... But a class D amp will never sound like a single ended class A amp or tubes, hence my description".

That sounds like an absolute to me.

just bustin your chops.

Actually I held a similar opinion about Class D but my expierience with the Hypex modules has changed my thinking.IMO they are very capable little amps.They don't have the sheer accuracy and dynamic punch of my Bryston's but are more laid back with a sweeter top end than the sometimes hard and agressive treble I hear with the little (Class AB) Gainclones.As blasphemous as it may seem there are reports of some listeners actually ranking thier SQ on par with certain tube and some well regarded SS designs.Ofcourse everyones mileage will vary and system synergy is a big factor.

Systems

Silly me ,I forgot to ask which Class D designs have you had the(dis) pleasure of hearing at length?

cnh

Danny Tse wrote: »

For the Panasonic HT receivers with digital amps, their main weakness was in fact their analog inputs. What you are looking at is an additional stage of conversion, from analog to digital. With a digital input, the incoming signal remains digital until the speaker outputs. In essence, the digital amp becomes the DAC.

Not sure if this is the same signal path for your Pioneer though.

I own a 2nd generation Panasonic HT AVR as described by Danny...and I agree...analog doesn't cut it....but digital to digial is surprising for such a 'cheap' unit. It is clean and relatively powerful for efficient speakers....the advantages are only in digital to digital connections....and the fact that it is very efficient...Class D amps can hit a 90% efficiency with very little power wasted in excess heat! They run cool and mine draws only 135 watts from the wall socket for 6 channels X 80 wattsRMS at 8 ohms....and that is a REAL power rating...has been tested professionally for 5 channels!

I can also understand how one might tire of it...as Heiney describes. When I first set it up years ago...I was amazed at the two channel digital to digital performance but as I listened to it more and more I just liked it...and no longer found it 'amazing'. The reaon is that at lower to moderate volumes it does have an exceptionally 'clean' sound...but it isn't particularly 'warm' or holistic! But for its price! It was a good buy.

cnh

Sherardp

I have been running class D amps since like 05/06. I have been running ICEamps, which is Class D and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Very dynamic, detailed, and excellent midbass improvements using my D-Sonic. Most Iceamps are based on B&O ASP modules, most manufacturers use the same modules just add different cases and charge you out the **** for them. If you want to try a relatively cheap amp try Nuforce, D-Sonic.

concealer404

Well, i watched a movie on it last night, "The Tournament." (highly entertaining, by the way.)

Keeping in mind that my HT setup is far from complete at the moment, i was just running a 4.0 system. I was very impressed. Due to the time that i started watching, 11pm, i couldn't crank it or anything, but i was astounded by the "punch" everything still had. I had no issues hearing dialogue, hearing every little creak and shuffle of the assassins creeping around, and explosions were QUICK and decayed perfectly.

But, it's the little things that will keep me from putting it in the main rotation even for HT:

1) Has those stupid clip/crimp speaker connectors
2) No pre-outs for future upgrades (not a huge deal, it's plenty powerful.)
3) It's a half-height, and looks stupid on my tv stand
4) Not quite as many options as i would like in my main avr

So, it's getting relegated to bedroom duty after i finish my setup around my D850S.