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Class D amps

J

jjl5590

Inactive
Mar 28, 2008
406
0
London, UK
#1
Hi guys,

So i've been reading up on these new amps. Class D amp, which means switching power supply, right?

Let me see if i've got this right...

Advantages:
- Light
- very efficient
- can be used anywhere - operate from 100-240 volts (?)

Disadvantages:
- must only use with a constant power source, i.e. not from a generator, because that could blow it?



Not sure if i've got my facts right, any info would be greatly appreciated!
 
#3
jjl5590 said:
So i've been reading up on these new amps. Class D amp, which means switching power supply, right?
Click to expand...

No. "Class D" refers to amplification that uses pulse-width modulation, followed by an integration or reconstruction filter. It does not define the power supply.
 
#6
jjl5590 said:
i read the wiki page, but what i'm really interested in is the fact that you can use it with 100-240V, meaning if i bought an amp in the US, it would work in the UK without the need for a transformer?
Click to expand...

My ShuttleMAX 12.0 has switchable power voltage switches on the back of it switchable to either 115/230. Will run 50hz or 60 hz.

Here's a stock photo of the switches (red) on the back of it.

STLMAX12back_lg-1.gif


TD
 
#8
jjl5590 said:
oh right, so I guess that's whats meant by "switching power supply" - you can switch it between US and UK voltages.
Click to expand...

Nope.

Paraphrased from Wikipedia:

"A switched-mode power supply (switching-mode power supply/SMPS, or simply switcher) is an electronic power supply unit that incorporates a switching regulator in order to provide the required output voltage. An SMPS is actually a power converter that transmits power from a source to a load with ideally no loss."

It's a type of power supply, usually lighter in weight and smaller than the conventional linear supply. Virtually all computer power supplies are switchers.

As for voltage-selection switches, they have nothing to do with it.
 
#9
Right, most of the weight of an amp is in the power supply. Switching power supplies don't have the big power transformer, which is where most of the weight it in an amp.

For example, my Crown Xti 1000 is pretty light due to it's switching power supply, but it's a class AB amplifier.

The class D amps are much more efficient too, which translates into a cooler-running amp.

Point is that "switching power supply" doesn't necessarily mean "class D", although I think every class D amp I've seen has a switching power supply. I don't know if that's a requirement for class D, however.
 

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