Class D Amps

[wazzel]

As a whole class D is not a step down. I switched to them in 2007 and never felt it to be a lesser choice. Not any more difference in tone than you would expect between manufactures. I think the perceived differences are because people listen with more than their ears.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Of the 30 or so amps I've tried, I've found the majority of the class D to be loud, clean and sterile, with no personality. The couple exceptions were the Genz Benz and Markbass, but even those didn't sound as good as my old Eden WT400.

That maybe more about how the preamp is voiced than the class D poweramp section in any given amp, class D or otherwise. I have found that when I take an existing preamp out and run it into a different power amp, I find little to no different in tone. The difference is usually the impedance of the input making the signal from the preamp louder or softer. But that's just me.

 

[ardgedee]

There are a lot of different MOSFETs. They have different characteristics. I have a headphone amp that...

argh gah. Just got back to this thread after a while and realized that morning I saw MOSFET and thought op-amp. Just in case anyone wondered what I was on that morning, I was apparently on Lackofcoffee.

 

[bmrman]

Almost all pro touring amps for major concert tours have been class D for years. They are lighter and more power efficient while sounding just as good as previous class AB designs. The result is less cost associated with hauling them and less effort for setting them up.

Translated to our world, they sound just as good, are a lot easier to haul around, and won’t break your back at the gig.

I just played an outdoor gig with a 4-lb amp rated at 800 watts. I never got the volume knob past 9:00 and it was probably too loud. I’ll never go back.

Which amp was that ? These old amps ive looked at are ANVILS.

 

[bmrman]

I just got a 4pro im amazed ,light , stays cool, clean sound, im happy .

 

[bmrman]

Yes. Yes I have. It just seems like a common ground.

Of course, a perception is a very personal thing. One's perception/opinion is never law. It changes from man to man

Go try out an SVT 4 PRO , i thing you will be happy .

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Go try out an SVT 4 PRO , i thing you will be happy .

I have a 4 pro

 

[agedhorse]

Which amp was that ? These old amps ive looked at are ANVILS.

Pretty much every pro audio amp mage in the last 15 years

 

[LiptonJigglers]

Doesn't matter what class the power module is, if the preamp section doesn't work for you: get you the tone you need, then the amp, regardless of class, is useless to you.

 

[arbiterusa]

I suppose one could do class D with tubes.

It was done a long time ago, for radio signals. It works, sort of.

 

[agedhorse]

Class D can be done with tubes, and has been small scale at lower audio frequencies as proof of concept. I don’t know of any commercial tube class D amps though.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

It was done a long time ago, for radio signals. It works, sort of.

Interesting. Being a radio guy I'd like to know more. Do you have further info?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Class D can be done with tubes, and has been small scale at lower audio frequencies as proof of concept. I don’t know of any commercial tube class D amps though.

Yeah. It's about as practical as a computer constructed from tubes.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yeah. It's about as practical as a computer constructed from tubes.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

View attachment 4852693 View attachment 4852694

Top pic... That was my first laptop. The one kneeling down. ​

 

[Redbrangus]

Top pic... That was my first laptop. The one kneeling down. ​

 

[DJ Bebop]

Top pic... That was my first laptop. The one kneeling down. ​

 

[The Massive]

There is nothing wrong with Class D and it really does make sense these days to not haul around heavy amps that cost a ton to maintain. Some companies are making some really nice ones. The new Berg is amazing, the new Boogie stuff is great, GK has some good offerings.

Then again there are some I find completely underwhelming.

I think it's really about what YOU like. If you find an amp you love and it's Class D, then its a good amp! Try not to get bogged down with all the technical aspects and see how it sounds at home, in a band and out for gigs.

If there was a Class D that actually sounded and FELT like a tube amp, I would be all over it...however in my experience I haven't found that yet so I'm stuck hauling around and maintaining boat anchors until I can't anymore.

 

[rickdog]

Yeah. It's about as practical as a computer constructed from tubes.

Not a Photoshop, this is from my collection. It's a 5965A, likely made by GE. My RCA Receiving Tube Manual lists a 5965: "medium-mu twin triode used for 'on-off' control applications." Respectable 2.4W plate dissipation (4.4W total both plates). Wonder if it would switch fast enough for a practical class D output stage? Might make a nice headphone amp

 

[Nebadon2000]

I find it somewhat interesting that both Guitar and Bass players love their Tube Amp sound on Stage justifiably but Audience hears through DI or Mic the sound from Class D Powered PA System.