Any US Made Class D Amps?

[Mark Reccord]

I didn't say I couldn't get one. The issue is cost. Toroids take extremely sophisticated machinery and a very high skill level to manufacture. Unfortunately, there are very very US companies making them that can compete with the transformers we are getting from Plitron.

And I'm not twisting my words with the bass neck analogy. Some of us simply don't want to drop the same off the shelf amp module into our amplifiers that are being used by a dozen other companies. It comes down to wanting to create a completely unique product from the ground up.

Made in Toronto isn't quite made in the USA but it's not really offshore especially given the largely symbiotic relationship between the two countries. I've been to Plitron's factory and it's indeed an impressive facility and their transformers are high quality for sure.

 

[Joe Louvar]

I'm thinking this thread kind of makes us Americans look like snobs - yes, no?

 

[Sav'nBass]

No I think it just looks like the OP wants to support his economy in a time of economic crisis..

 

[will33]

No I think it just looks like the OP wants to support his economy in a time of economic crisis..

+1

And the Canadians are alright folks. . I'd much rarher spend it there than China.

 

[Joe Louvar]

The USA dropped the ball with a lot of things - for example “Tubes” and if it wasn’t for others picking up the ball many people around the world would be bummed out. Anyway, it was just a thought that popped into my head - and you know me, I posted it - but don’t want to hijack the thread so - never mind.

 

[dspellman]

To wear the Made In USA sticker, a product has to have minimum 40% local content. Local content can be paint, packaging, anything at all. That means when you buy an American product it may actually be 59% asian content.

In the automotive industry, they've assigned a 75% US-content to US-made, but you *rarely* hear that mentioned any more. There's a reason. Most Hondas made here, for example exceed 75% American-sourced parts and are truly American automobiles, while a chunk of Fords are not only built heavily of foreign parts, but built outside the states (plants in Mexico and Canada) as well. Ford isn't alone, of course, and other US-brand carmakers are actually selling cars that are as much as 75% foreign-sourced.

 

[nick98338]

I'm thinking this thread kind of makes us Americans look like snobs - yes, no?

No. I don't think so. IMHO it really is a matter of quality. Especially the quality of the basic materials that parts are made of. Many factories, in Asian countries, do a fantastic job of putting things together. The fit and finish are superb. But, those factories just don't seem to realize that their raw materials are not good quality. That is why I want to know where something is made. I may still buy something even when I know it was made in PRC. But, I think the mfg. should be honest about where it was made. If it says plainly "Made in PRC" well that's OK. At least I know, and I can make an informed decision. What burns me is the company that just puts on "Designed in USA" and nothing else. Won't admit that the product was made in PRC. When I see that, I run.

 

[seamonkey]

Made in Toronto isn't quite made in the USA but it's not really offshore especially given the largely symbiotic relationship between the two countries. I've been to Plitron's factory and it's indeed an impressive facility and their transformers are high quality for sure.

I have Plitron I custom ordered. Use it in a traditional power supply for a class-d amp. Top quality, fast, and cheaper than you'd think. If was was coming up with a "line" I'd still take the time to source locally, and/or find out where Plitron sources their parts. Maybe they get their core material from the USA? You are suppose to do this according to the FTC for "USA" labeling.

Plitron itself does global manufacturing to build where they are needed. Just not in the USA.

And I'd rather see USA focus on making the best design and components for SMPS than for big old style, inefficient power supplies. SMPS is in everything, most all consumer electronic devices. And most pro gear now.

The top audio engineers that spent years on class-d have now spent years on SMPS. SMPS is valuable in many ways. And really very little drawbacks even though some may try to convince you otherwise. Companies like Carvin switch after years of research, and they've been in business since 1946.

It does turn out that there are many US designed Class-D modules, and a handful of Made in USA. Some are adding features needed by MI. Powerlogic is pushing protection without shutdown. This is the right direction, I hope it makes it way into bass amps.