Class D amps vs traditional amps

[abarson]

OP - Not sure about that particular amp. I got my first class D amp in '07, GB Shuttle. Never felt the class D options to be less than tube or the other classes. If you are happy with the sound of a particular amp do not worry about the class of the amp.

OP has been delisted.

 

[micguy]

Very interesting, I didn't know that. Isn't it only for power section? I mean does a pedal have actually any sort of power section?

Class A means the circuitry is always "on" - none of the circuit elements ever switch off - the transistors, FETs, whatever are always passing signal. For preamp circuits, this is the norm. When you get to power amps is when other classes make sense. You can make Class A power amps (with tubes, transistors, or various types of FET's) - they work just fine, but they are always dissipating power, so you don't get much power out for the power you put in - they're inefficient. Class AB means the devices (again, this can be tubes, transistors, FET's) means that, for small signals, everything is on, but when you get to larger powers, part of the devices will shut off for part of the waveform - usually there's a bunch of devices responsible for the positive swing of the voltage, and anther for the negative swing.

Class B isn't used much for audio, as it means the devices switch at very small voltages (right around zero) - that's very hard to make work well, so you don't see audio power amps made that way. Class C means nothing is on at zero voltage, but things turn on for higher power - some radio transmitters and the like are done that way, but again, its not used for audio. Class D uses transistors (could also be tubes, in theory) are switching a relatively high frequencies - the output has to be filtered to remove high frequency stuff. Done well, this is a very efficient way to do an amplifier - pretty much all pro audio power amps are done this way today.

 

[groovepump]

Just close your eyes and treat it like a bass amp.
The differences that might come up in conversation - like here - are just as subjective as the differences you may or may not find between brands, models within a brand and models from year to year.
Good to argue about but that’s about it.

100%. The best and most useful answer!

 

[SB300]

Just close your eyes and treat it like a bass amp.
The differences that might come up in conversation - like here - are just as subjective as the differences you may or may not find between brands, models within a brand and models from year to year.
Good to argue about but that’s about it.

In the end it is your opinion that matters.

 

[agedhorse]

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

This is true, and why marketing folks place so much importance on cosmetics.

The cheaper Class D amps lack in dynamic response.

Cheaper products of all kinds make tradeoffs, nothing wrong with this provided you recognize the compromises and can live with the results.

For years in the car audio space class AB was favoured for full range audio and class D was restricted to subwoofer duty only as supposedly class D’s struggled to handle a full range signal especially the higher frequencies and noise from their switching power supplies got into the audio, which for subwoofer duty below 100hz wasn’t noticeable, but full range would be clear as day.

However in the last few years probably in the last decade class D’s have vastly improved to the point that for most people they are good enough.

However and I’m only speculating here I presume class D’s may still have their issues with audio compression and sounding a bit harsh compared to their fully analog counterparts, that being said though they tend to make up for it with more power output from a smaller unit and less heat generated.
My old class AB amp in the car you could fry an egg on when it was in use, when I changed car and car audio setup I went to a much more compact Pioneer class D and it was powering much bigger speakers much louder and it didn’t dim the headlights as much nor feel like a frying pan either.

Obviously my experiences are from a car audio point of view but I believe the basic principles can be applied to guitar/bass amps too after all they are doing the same job at making a low input source louder.

Another engineer that I went to school with worked for Linear Power, that industry was salivating over higher speed semiconductors at that time, in order to make full range class D practical.

Well, disappointing, pretty much amateur hour on this forum. Should have known better. I think I got four relevant responses here to my actual question, and then a bunch of children that are still mad they didn’t get a pony for their birthday. There are those that can’t read, and then there are those that see everything they read as an opportunity to talk about themselves instead of Help someone out. Some of you are way too eager to be angry here. Now it will be funny to watch those that cannot help themselves but just cannot stand it and have to get the last word in with a dumb ass response lol! Sad. OK amateurs, make sure you get the last word in now! Thank you for proving my point.

Well I got a pony for my birthday, so he was wrong again

How many new amp models are NOT class D? Not including all tube.

Serious question.

If not already will SS amps that aren’t class D go the same route as the rotary telephone ?

Virtually none. This is a part of evolution.

 

[Bob Blore]

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.

Played for 45 years, used em all , picked up an Ampeg P-350 D class, checked Ampegs Youtube page on promo by R&D Dino, some great info, tones for different styles, I run either a Zoom b1 four( amp modelling is quite decent) in the front or Line 6 Bass Pod XT Live thru effects, if I cant find that grind( v4b/svt) I pre amp with SWR Studio 220 with ax7 preamp tuber. But for just general jamming at home / rehearsals pf- 350 is great !

 

[bdplaid]

Did a guy just throw a stink bomb and then run away?

 

[Fernando Costa]

Yes.

 

[Jeff Scott]

If not already will SS amps that aren’t class D go the same route as the rotary telephone ?

Rotary phones were so intuitive...

 

[Jeff Scott]

Yes, and I believe Acoustic Image was the first company to manufacture bass amps with a Class D amplifier on a largish scale, taking their cue from Walter Woods. I was on the waiting list for the first of those. At first I was a little skeptical of the stated power specs compared to A/B or tube circuits, but eventually came around.

I bought a Clarus in the early/mid '00s (can't recall exactly when). Great little amp but I ended up returning it, because, for whatever reason, it didn't sound as good as the 700RB I had. Most likely, it just didn't interface well, tonally, with the EV B-201 cabinets I had at the time.

I'd like to try a current model but I am not in the gigging game, anymore so no new toys for me (for now, anyway).

 

[Gluvhand]

Did a guy just throw a stink bomb and then run away?

No. He stuck around and got locked out. I kind of understand where he was coming from but he ruffled the wrong feathers and came on way too strong.

 

[tvbop]

Just play bass and don't worry what class the amp is or what color it is.

Spot on. Ive played many types of amp over the decades and by the time the FOH guy or the producer in the studio has got to it, unless you are a big bass name then it all sounds pretty much the same what ever amp you play. The only thing that separates us from each other is our technique...eg Bernard Edwards. He didnt worry to much about gear yet he sounds like no one else.

 

[baxter_x]

Did a guy just throw a stink bomb and then run away?

Well, he was shown the door actually...

 

[MobileHolmes]

How many new amp models are NOT class D? Not including all tube.

Serious question.

If not already will SS amps that aren’t class D go the same route as the rotary telephone ?

You can buy some AB heads still, but I don't recall seeing anything new in a while. Supposedly GK is going to do new RB heads at some point, but I'm not sure if they are AB or D like the legacies

 

[makanudo]

I mean, when the actual audience is going to be listening to your DI through the PA system anyway, class, color, heft, slam, whatever you want to call it becomes irrelevant and only matters to you or the people in the rehearse space.

 

[mexicanyella]

.

 

[60bass]

The experience and expertise that user agedhorse brings to the table is well known here on TB. His background in sound reinforcement and bass amps is wide and varied. In fact he designs them for a living. Namely MESA, Genz Benz, and others. There isn't any post he does that can be called a useless reply. If you have indeed played for decades and toured worldwide during the 2000's chances are very high that the commercial sound reinforcement companies hired to provide sound for your band were all using high wattage class D amps. Especially since class D has been used in PRO sound for decades now. Have you been to the movies lately? I can't even think of a theater that's using analog amps anymore.. The tremendous low end levels at concerts and theaters are all class D and there's no shortage of punch there at all.

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In closing, only you can tell if a class D amp will give you the punch and hit as hard as you want it to. I hope you find the amp that works for you regardless if it's class. Also I certainly hope you don't find this reply "useless".

 

[mexicanyella]

If nothing else, having the OP identify this place as “amateur hour” really answered some questions I didn’t even know I had. I didn’t realize everyone else here was also an amateur! No wonder I feel at home here.

 

[60bass]

If nothing else, having the OP identify this place as “amateur hour” really answered some questions I didn’t even know I had. I didn’t realize everyone else here was also an amateur! No wonder I feel at home here.

Agreed. Posting things like "useless reply" and "amateur hour" IMO identifies the OP as a troll. Which as everyone knows, shows not "D" class but ZERO class!

 

[Thumpin6string]

Of the 30+ amps I've had, the only class D amps that I could stand were the Genz Benz heads. The rest were too sterile for me. Not worth the weight savings. I've not played through a Mesa, but have heard great things about them.