Anyone still prefer Class A/B amps over Class D?

[agedhorse]

Read through the manual to find out.
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Not convinced yet????? Watch the video.



If you still don't believe there are Class A, bass amps out there, there's nothing more I can show you. Just google for yourself.

See, you've been fooled by the marketing guys again. The only thing class A about those amps is the PREAMP (or a stage of the preamp). The POWER AMP is NOT class A and it would be preposterous to even think it could be.

You might want to learn a little more about this subject before arguing something as absurd as an amp like this (or just about any bass amp) being class A.

Class A stages in a preamp are pretty common and by no means better (or worse) than any other approach.

 

[Badwater]

See, you've been fooled by the marketing guys again. The only thing class A about those amps is the PREAMP (or a stage of the preamp). The POWER AMP is NOT class A and it would be preposterous to even think it could be.

You might want to learn a little more about this subject before arguing something as absurd as an amp like this (or just about any bass amp) being class A.

I tend to believe it's a class A like the manual says. As well as the product specialist. Perhaps someone with all that knowledge will sue them for false advertising. Until then, you still haven't shown me how it is not a class A amp. If not a Class A amp, then what kind of amp is it???

 

[agedhorse]

I tend to believe it's a class A like the manual says. As well as the product specialist. Perhaps someone with all that knowledge will sue them for false advertising. Until then, you still haven't shown me how it is not a class A amp. If not a Class A amp, then what kind of amp is it???

It SAYS class A PREAMP in the manual, you are simply not comprehending what they are saying!!!

I just might have designed an amp or two and spent what felt like an eternity in an university engineering program learning EXACTLY what this stuff really means, and WHY.

Suggestion... learn about a subject before arguing your position. It will always turn out better

 

[bucephylus]

Where's that popcorn?

 

[Badwater]

It SAYS class A PREAMP in the manual, you are simply not comprehending what they are saying!!!

I just might have designed an amp or two and spent what felt like an eternity in an university engineering program learning EXACTLY what this stuff really means, and WHY.

Suggestion... learn about a subject before arguing your position. It will always turn out better

I'm not arguing, I'm just responding to your questions with facts that I present to you. So far, I have not seen any facts that say it's not a class A amp.

The manual says
"CLASS-A CIRCUITRY
Class-A amplifiers are typically more linear and, as such, are less complex than other amplifier classes. The amplifying element is biased so the device is always conducting to some extent. This means the amplifier is always on, avoiding the problem of crossover distortion associated with class-AB and -B designs."

 

[agedhorse]

I'm not arguing, I'm just responding to your questions with facts that I present to you. So far, I have not seen any facts that say it's not a class A amp.

The manual says
"CLASS-A CIRCUITRY
Class-A amplifiers are typically more linear and, as such, are less complex than other amplifier classes. The amplifying element is biased so the device is always conducting to some extent. This means the amplifier is always on, avoiding the problem of crossover distortion associated with class-AB and -B designs."

Read the specs, it clearly says PREAMP.

It's appears it's the marketing departments job to confuse the customer. If the marketing copy writers understood what they were writing, they wouldn't say half of what they do because it's either wrong, or it's misleading. In this case they correctly identified it in the specs.

A class A power amp would have to dissipate an average of about 4x the heat of a class AB amp, weighted around quiescent losses. Not only horribly inefficient, but totally impractical, which is why they do not exist.

Why don't you research the subject a bit?

 

[chris_b]

Does anyone in sound reinforcement not use class D?

So much for this "D class is inferior" nonsense!

 

[NoiseNinja]

I don't really have any need for a lightweight amp.

I might be a bit old fashioned in that department, but from what I heard I am not too fond of the tone from class D amps.

I haven't tried any out personally, so I might be wrong in my assumption that most class D amps are equipped with a tone that matches their weight.

Which would mean anemic and lifeless without any depth.

As I said it might just be prejudices, as I don't have much to base my opinion on.

But on the other hand the steady stream of threads of people equipped with 800W class D amps that have serious problems cutting through or hearing them self, kind of confirms my assumptions.

What I do know for sure though, is that I love the tone I get from my current setup, which is something as old fashioned as a Trace Elliot GP75SM 130W solid state combo equipped with a 15" run simultaneous with a Dynacord Bass King 50W all tubes amp also with a 15" cab that takes care of adding a bit of grit to my tone.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Personally I don't suffer from muscular dystrophy, so I don't really have any need for a lightweight amp.

I might be a bit old fashioned in that department, but from what I heard I am not too fond of the tone from class D amps.

I haven't tried any out personally, so I might be wrong in my assumption that most class D amps are equipped with a tone that matches their weight.

Which would mean anemic and lifeless without any depth.

As I said it might just be prejudices, as I don't have much to base my opinion on.

But on the other hand the steady stream of threads of people equipped with 800W class D amps that have serious problems cutting through or hearing them self, kind of confirms my assumptions.

What I do know for sure though, is that I love the tone I get from my current setup, which is something as old fashioned as a Trace Elliot GP75SM 130W solid state combo equipped with a 15" run simultaneous with a Dynacord Bass King 50W all tubes amp also with a 15" cab that takes care of adding a bit of grit to my tone.

So you have no experience with class d, but you continue the myth that they sound inferior. I own several class D amps and have had A/B amps. You can do class D cheaper than A/B, so I think you're comparing cheap amps with more expensive amps. Done well, you won't be able to tell the difference until load out.

 

[Mosfed]

Read the specs, it clearly says PREAMP.

It's appears it's the marketing departments job to confuse the customer. If the marketing copy writers understood what they were writing, they wouldn't say half of what they do because it's either wrong, or it's misleading. In this case they correctly identified it in the specs.

A class A power amp would have to dissipate an average of about 4x the heat of a class AB amp, weighted around quiescent losses. Not only horribly inefficient, but totally impractical, which is why they do not exist.

Why don't you research the subject a bit?

You are clearly right. But maybe, just maybe, being a little more tolerant wouldn't be a bad thing?

 

[woodyng2]

To me,this argument is much like the one of LP vs CD sound.
The a/b amps i've had sounded warmer,but i found more clarity with my d class amps.
And i prefer that,in both amps and CDs.

 

[seamonkey]

the most expensive bass amps are still Class A/B

Class-ab is more expensive to make and ship. Except you can get really cheap class-ab from overseas from factories where they don't have the technology to make class-d.

Sweetwaters most expensive power amp is class-d
Crown I-Tech 5000HD Power Amplifier
It has many features and reliability that increases the price.

Modern Class-ab power amp
Modern Class-d power amp
Sonically are the same (with equivalent power)

When combined with a pre-amp in a head, the designer adds in tone from the pre-amp and feedback loops. You are not hearing differences in the amp classes. You're hearing what the head designer has added as signature sound to the rest of head.

 

[adam montminy]

I clearly state in my post that I might be prejudgemental in my opinions and that I don't have much to base them on.

Still I stand by my right to freely speak my opinions as long as I am honest on what I have to base them on.

The OP was asking about why people prefer one over the other. If you have never played a Class D amp then your opinions on them will be disregarded by anyone reading them so why bother posting here?

I have nothing against people with muscular dystrophy.

I just find able people using wheelchairs a bit odd.

There may be other reasons why someone would choose a class D amp other than having muscular dystrophy. Some people actually like the way some of them sound.

 

[agedhorse]

You are clearly right. But maybe, just maybe, being a little more tolerant wouldn't be a bad thing?

Why exactly should I be more tolerant of a factually incorrect statement of fact? If it's wrong, it's wrong and "feel good" reinforcement of such does nothing for the folks here trying to learn about this stuff.

IMO, If you are going to state something as fact, you really should understand the facts, otherwise when you are wrong, is just BS plain and simple.

 

[Mosfed]

Why exactly should I be more tolerant of a factually incorrect statement of fact? If it's wrong, it's wrong and "feel good" reinforcement of such does nothing for the folks here trying to learn about this stuff.

IMO, If you are going to state something as fact, you really should understand the facts, otherwise when you are wrong, is just BS plain and simple.

I just think that sometimes taking the high road when you are the expert isn't a bad thing.

Btw - love your work. I keep trying to "upgrade" my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 and all the units go back to Thomann.

 

[prowla]

My current favorite is an all tube amp, but that's not the question.

I like the way a good class A/B hits at the front of the note. Staccato or those little ghost note thumps better communicate for me through A/B. The difference to my ears is not subtle. But, and this is a big but, I really don't care if it takes me several trips to drag my gear to a stage or if it weighs a bit. I'm a small old guy who is ornery enough to carry what ever will make the noise I want.

Aren't valve amps class A?

 

[NoiseNinja]

The OP was asking about why people prefer one over the other. If you have never played a Class D amp then your opinions on them will be disregarded by anyone reading them so why bother posting here?


There may be other reasons why someone would choose a class D amp other than having muscular dystrophy. Some people actually like the way some of them sound.

The headline says: "Anyone still prefer Class A/B amps over Class D?", and I am responding to that by giving my opinion on that matter, even if I, as I clearly make people aware of in the post, doesn't have much to base it on.

I have every right to prefer something over something else, even if it's based mostly on prejudice and assumption.

Even if I actually had more experience with Class D amps, other than listening to demos on YouTube, what I would have to say would still be nothing more than just an opinion based on personal preferences.

Don't you think people should judge by them self weather they should disregard my post as irrelevant or not, rather than you telling them to do so.

May I ask you to look at your self for a moment, and then honestly answer: What exactly does what you just posted bring to the topic that OP asks?

I would dare to say that my original post at least was 100% more on topic than yours.

Also it seems that humor is not exactly one of your strong expertises.

 

[Passinwind]

Does anyone one still prefer the tone or some other aspect of a class A/B amp over a class D head?

Sure, old fashioned stuff looks keWl.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I've honestly never played an ampeg CL but it has such a good reputation and so many artists use it that i would love to try one. I love my svt 7 pro and read that it sounds pretty similar. I like to crank the gain and control volume with the master knob. Both of my basses can get pretty grindy through that rig. It has great tone and plenty of power so am happy with my class D but curious about the CL and would guess it probably sounds better. I would be dissapointed if I bought one and couldn't tell the difference.

 

[agedhorse]

I just think that sometimes taking the high road when you are the expert isn't a bad thing.

Btw - love your work. I keep trying to "upgrade" my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 and all the units go back to Thomann.

The high road in this case, IMO, is being accurate and not perpetuating internet/marketing myths and rumors. Otherwise, providing and supporting incorrect info. does nothing positive for anybody else here.