Class D amps vs traditional amps

[agedhorse]

The broadcast industry has followed its own train of thought on compression, for instance:

https://www.orban.com/optimodfm-8700i

When I was in college radio, the "Optimod" was still an analog beast, and we couldn't afford one. We did have a basic limiter, but its design was based on the FCC regulations that required a limiter to prevent overmodulation. I remember one pop recording, "she blinded me with science," with such precise levels, that I could use it to adjust the limiter in real time by just asking the DJ to slot it into their program. The entire monitoring chain was analog VU meters.

Funny, I works some shows with Thomas Dolby. Clever song.

 

[Titch]

In my experience, all the Class D amps I've used, it's always been the same: continuously fighting with them to ring out a sound I liked.
Was it the amp, the cab, the bass or just the bassist or any/all of the above? Who knows!
What I can tell you is, I'm back to using my old 1980's Class A/B amps and it's a simple plug in and play. No mess, no fuss..Great tone, great power, instantly. This alone is worth carrying the weight of these amps.

 

[Pings Bass]

If i know anything about confirmation bias, you're gonna hate class d

Here, I'll save you the typing: another useless post

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I am buying a Traynor SB500H and I’m used to the Classic solid state amps, weight differences aside, how do you think I will feel about a class D amp? Some people say the power just isn’t there or something is missing, others say they are amazing. It seems that a lot of people that are blown away with Class D amplifiers are younger people that have never really used solid state or tube amps, opinions? Also I like to run my analog pedals directly to the front input of the head, does a class D amp react or sound differently with pedals than I should expect from solid state? Thanks in advance.

There is quite a difference between mosfet and class D. When they can get all dynamics transferred to the size and weight of ICE, the worlds will align.

But, class D amps are great in themselves. What you will notice is they are clean. Like undeniably clean. That's about it. Because of that, they're punchy as hell. And tight. They don't like being clipped half as much though. But, you'll have pretty much endless clean headroom.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I am buying a Traynor SB500H and I’m used to the Classic solid state amps, weight differences aside, how do you think I will feel about a class D amp? Some people say the power just isn’t there or something is missing, others say they are amazing. It seems that a lot of people that are blown away with Class D amplifiers are younger people that have never really used solid state or tube amps, opinions? Also I like to run my analog pedals directly to the front input of the head, does a class D amp react or sound differently with pedals than I should expect from solid state? Thanks in advance.

Oh, no. You can run anything you want into it. Just set your gain right.

 

[mikewalker]

Traynor SB500 is a splendid little amp... I have played a couple of these (and also own the SB200H) and didn't notice any significant difference from old "pre-class-d" solid state amps** (aside from the size and the weight...)

** of which I have played MANY

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I am buying a Traynor SB500H and I’m used to the Classic solid state amps, weight differences aside, how do you think I will feel about a class D amp? Some people say the power just isn’t there or something is missing, others say they are amazing. It seems that a lot of people that are blown away with Class D amplifiers are younger people that have never really used solid state or tube amps, opinions? Also I like to run my analog pedals directly to the front input of the head, does a class D amp react or sound differently with pedals than I should expect from solid state? Thanks in advance.

Oh, and I've had it all bro. Nothing beats tubes in tone and response. No solid amp beats high power mosfets. Class D is clean, and doesn't get "there it is!" Until you reach an un useable volume level. But, it's never ending clean headroom, and tight response is unmatched in those departments.

 

[seamonkey]

It seems that a lot of people that are blown away with Class D amplifiers are younger people that have never really used solid state or tube amps, opinions?

Those dang whippersnappers! Why do they go and try new things? Tradition is always best. Truth is they just don't have the talent to play the traditional old heavy stuff. There's no money or soul in today's music and wimpy class-d proves it.

</sarcasm>

 

[Samatza]

I own several tube amps and conventional solid-state amps (and owned an SVT in the 1970s), but my all-time favorite is my class D Peavey Headliner amp. Just use a high-quality speaker cabinet.

I've tried the Peavey Headliner amp and it's got good tone for sure. I think with the smaller class D amps though it's just the power limitation, 200W compared to 1,000W is going to perform differently, especially when pushed.

I think if the amp is designed properly and has adequate power it will do just fine.

On the other hand it's been few and far between gigs where I actually use an amp these days so I still have my Eden 550 and GK 1001RB heads if I need an amp. Seeing as my speakers are not ultra light the weight of the head is academic.

I do like that Headliner though, it's got loads of power and the GEQ is nice for sculpting a nice tone.

 

[dkelley]

Class D is only nontraditional in the sense that it weighs less and is much more efficient. The tone and power will sound and work like any other amp. Just don't push the power amp into clipping... but that is true of most amps, to be honest.

 

[dkelley]

Useless reply

Agreed. Your comment was useless.

However, amp related replies from the guy who has designed and built amps that many of us use professionally are HARDLY useless replies.

 

[agedhorse]

For you traditionalists, the concepts and theory behind class D pre-date solid state by decades and even pre-date most (if not all) tube bass and guitar amplification as well. What made class D practical was the invention of high speed semiconductor devices.

Maybe class D amps are more traditional than conventional tube amps… has anyone considered that possibility?

 

[dkelley]

No actually .

Now you're being intentionally obtuse.

 

[dkelley]

You will not like it. You will find it underpowered and you will not care for the way it colors your tone.
Your pedals may sound "thin".

Better?

exactly. Why? because it's class D, and some people hear with their eyes.

 

[dkelley]

Awesome insight, really a great asset to this forum. Thanks so much.

Well now some of us know who to block on this forum, at least.

Your sarcasm and lack of gratitude, and simple lack of grace and respect for your equals on this forum, are all rather unusual.

You're on a forum that has many many home bassists who don't play professionally, many many amateur bassist who don't pay for money but play as much as and as well as professional bassists, and many many professional bassists and long time legends who have at least as much experience and skill and knowledge and pickiness about tone as yourself.

Bye Miketron - you were mildly interesting for about 5 minutes.

EDIT: note: anything of his where I quoted him no longer has his quotes, because I added him to my ignore list. fascinating... it's like he never existed

 

[dkelley]

Funny, people are saying that they feel Class D has more compression; I always felt the opposite. But it probably has more to do with what amp we were all used to hearing first.

Honestly, i think the design of the preamp is the bigger tone we're all hearing. A well designed power amp should be transparent and just mate the preamp to the speakers. The only power amps I can think of that don't fit that criteria are the tube ones that some folks are crazy about.

2 people said that. I have never felt that. I have used class D since they came out and never had an issue with the power section. People would be shocked at how many large pa systems use Class D amps directly on the monitors and main speakers these days. Compression is NOT inherent to Class D. It is inherent to certain preamp designs, such as TC apparently, and, amusingly, a yorkville/traynor bass head I own (which is, I believe, class AB).

 

[red_rhino]

You're on a forum that has many many home bassists who don't play professionally, many many amateur bassist who don't pay for money but play as much as and as well as professional bassists, and many many professional bassists and long time legends who have at least as much experience and skill and knowledge and pickiness about tone as yourself.

But but but... he's played for 35 whole years! Plus he's played thru literally everything and even toured professionally. Nobody else here has done that!

 

[Passinwind]

25918397[/URL], member: 350630"]To clarify, after playing for 35 years I’ve played through just about everything, toured professionally worldwide in the early 2000s for about 10 years, class d amplifiers were just coming around at that time and to this day I have yet to be overly impressed other than by the fact that they are weightless lol, I have high hopes for this class D amp I ordered but time will tell

Class D bass amps actually go back to at least the mid 80s.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Class D bass amps actually go back to at least the mid 80s.

I recall listening to an Infinity Servo-Statik 1 system that had a Class D amp for the subwoofers, IIRC, in 1970 or 1971.

 

[nnnnnn]

Another useless response

Awesome insight, really a great asset to this forum. Thanks so much.

Please just stop, there's no need for rude responses like these.