Dave Rat testing and comparing class D vs class AB power output and capabilities

[D.A.R.K.]

Really interesting bench test by Dave Rat comparing class D to class AB power amplifiers.
This test is geared towards PA extreme loading and duration, but definitely translates into what we use as bass players.
This is purely for technical information, I use and love both.

 

[gtirard]

Now I need to go and buy some of these thermal indicators

 

[agedhorse]

Nothing surprising for someone who designs around this technology.

What Dave missed is that regarding g safety certifications, the choices are opening the breaker or limiting the output to below the breaker trip point (provided there are no touch temperature issues).

This is a huge advantage of PF corrected SMPS, output regulation, higher current efficiency and the ability to decrease the power supply voltage (or limit the audio) to decrease the AC current draw when needed.

Another thing Dave didn’t discuss is that at the high power level being discussed, the drivers won’t last much longer than the point that power fold-back occurs, therefore this is another way that increased speaker reliability is realized. In fact, most speaker processors do exactly the same thing with protective integrating limiter algorithms (where the threshold falls as the electrical analogy of VC temperature increases).

This limiting is not much of a thing at lower power such as bass amps. Also, 2 seconds of continuous tone at “clipping” (100% duty cycle) is not representative of any real world bass signal. It’s very much a fabricated situation.

Dave’s videos do generate a large number of views, and his presentation is quite click-worthy.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I think it's fun to watch these types of experiments.
I've been guilty of, and have seen the magic smoke come from many a low power amp used in the bass amp world getting clipped to smithereens so nothing new there either.
I've also toured with and shared a console with Dave, he is a character but also a master mix engineer and few are willing to put into action the effort he takes to produce actual results. And he's a super nice guy.
I particularly like the simplicity of what he does, for us that are not design engineers, and just users of the equipment.

 

[Redbrangus]

With all due respect, Dave Rat is as full of.... uhh... stuff as a Christmas turkey. Just sayin'....

 

[five7]

I endured his rigs at several venues in the 90's. Loud!
Silverchair at the Ogden Theater here in Denver clocked in at 118 db

 

[agedhorse]

I think it's fun to watch these types of experiments.
I've been guilty of, and have seen the magic smoke come from many a low power amp used in the bass amp world getting clipped to smithereens so nothing new there either.
I've also toured with and shared a console with Dave, he is a character but also a master mix engineer and few are willing to put into action the effort he takes to produce actual results. And he's a super nice guy.
I particularly like the simplicity of what he does, for us that are not design engineers, and just users of the equipment.

The problem is that the information provided glosses over some of the most important stuff that puts everything into context.

He puts together great mixes, especially for the genres he's attracted to. I've been the PM on several shows he's toured with over the years, he gets it done with a minimum of fuss and muss (consistent with the genres he's mixing).

 

[Wood and Wire]

Now I need to go and buy some of these thermal indicators

 

[gtirard]

Sorry for being off-topic, but it reminds me of the "Kebab symphony"

 

[MindinAction]

Kinda looks more like a Gyros Symphony to me.

 

[dannylectro]

Nothing surprising for someone who designs around this technology.

What Dave missed is that regarding g safety certifications, the choices are opening the breaker or limiting the output to below the breaker trip point (provided there are no touch temperature issues).

This is a huge advantage of PF corrected SMPS, output regulation, higher current efficiency and the ability to decrease the power supply voltage (or limit the audio) to decrease the AC current draw when needed.

Another thing Dave didn’t discuss is that at the high power level being discussed, the drivers won’t last much longer than the point that power fold-back occurs, therefore this is another way that increased speaker reliability is realized. In fact, most speaker processors do exactly the same thing with protective integrating limiter algorithms (where the threshold falls as the electrical analogy of VC temperature increases).

This limiting is not much of a thing at lower power such as bass amps. Also, 2 seconds of continuous tone at “clipping” (100% duty cycle) is not representative of any real world bass signal. It’s very much a fabricated situation.

Dave’s videos do generate a large number of views, and his presentation is quite click-worthy.

THIS is why I love Talkbass!

 

[D.A.R.K.]

The problem is that the information provided glosses over some of the most important stuff that puts everything into context.

He puts together great mixes, especially for the genres he's attracted to. I've been the PM on several shows he's toured with over the years, he gets it done with a minimum of fuss and muss (consistent with the genres he's mixing).

It's obvious to me it's half fun and not meant for designers