Does this mean Class D amps are in fact digital ?

[abarson]

So, I’ve always corrected people when they say Class D means digital, but this statement in the manual of a class D amp makes me think otherwise as it implies analog to digital and digital to analog conversion, just like any digital pedal or device…

I know the “D” doesn’t stand for digital, but are they in fact digital….

From the manual:

“Essentially, a class D amplifier converts the analog signal into a logic level PWM digital signal with an analog to digital converter, level shifts this PWM signal up to a higher voltage and current and then reconstructs the analog signal by passing it through what is essentially a power digital to analog converter”

Manuals are often written by non-technical marketing or sales people, and will include stuff to sound impressive. At one time, adding the word "digital" was synonymous with "modern" or "technically advanced", so was often misused.

 

[Ellery]

Who cares so long as it sounds good? I use a Genz Benz Shuttle and it stands up to every other non- class D amp I've ever used.

 

[6Bass101]

But, you still haven't told us what amp manual you quoted.

I kinda want to know too.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

The real question is, will Class-D amps underpower your ceramic magnet speakers causing damage? I think as long as you use the right genre of instrument cable you should be fine. I hear all that digital processing in Class-D amps will know when you switch to Jazz from Doom Metal

 

[SteveCS]

The real question is, will Class-D amps underpower your ceramic magnet speakers causing damage? I think as long as you use the right genre of instrument cable you should be fine. I hear all that digital processing in Class-D amps will know when you switch to Jazz from Doom Metal

I heard that Class D goes thin and lifeless when connected to a bass adorned with a Tort pickguard?

 

[gln1955]

I asked my most trusted source, ChatGPT.

Are class D amplifiers digital?

ChatGPT:
No, Class D amplifiers are not inherently digital. While they are known for their high efficiency and are commonly used in digital audio systems, they are still analog amplifiers at their core.

Class D amplifiers use pulse width modulation (PWM) to convert the analog audio signal into a digital representation. This digital representation is then used to generate a high-frequency signal, typically in the megahertz range, which is amplified and then filtered to reconstruct the original audio waveform.

However, despite the use of digital techniques in the signal processing, the output of a Class D amplifier is still an analog waveform that drives the speakers. The primary advantage of Class D amplifiers is their high efficiency, which allows them to deliver more power to the speakers while generating less heat compared to other amplifier classes.

 

[Redbrangus]

ChatGPT:...

He's a member now? Does he play flats?

 

[J Wilson]

It's like STAR TREK, the transporter room: You play a note into it, it's broken down into a stream of information, and it re-materislizes right on the inside of the output jacks. I thought everybody knows this . . .

 

[aprod]

Proof there are indeed stupid questions.

 

[logdrum]

PWM has always been analog. Without causing brain hurt, look at old ANALOG synthesizers, that have PWM for the square wave oscillators.

Also even in computers, CPUs, GPUs, ASIC and DSP essentially are analog devices. Yeah -- that may cause more brain hurt...

 

[Drredplate]

The real question is, will Class-D amps underpower your ceramic magnet speakers causing damage? I think as long as you use the right genre of instrument cable you should be fine. I hear all that digital processing in Class-D amps will know when you switch to Jazz from Doom Metal

Your cables must be made by spiritually pure monks from oxygen free copper. If the cables cost less than £1000 they will be crap. If you spend this much on cables your playing will be better however.

 

[Nev375]

All amps are digital. You use your digits to plug them in, flip switches and twist knobs.

 

[mambo4]

My Genz Benz Streamliner makes me not care
Nothing I can do to it makes it "sound digital"
I listen with my ears, not my googled grasp of the technology

 

[Michedelic]

I always thought that Class D was the one that took the short bus.

 

[Super Bass]

I have seen so many live shows lately I am not sure an amp of any kind is even necessary......
Been hearing way to many recorded tracks and vocals, not sure why I bother anymore!

 

[DirtDog]

Manuals are often written by non-technical marketing or sales people, and will include stuff to sound impressive. At one time, adding the word "digital" was synonymous with "modern" or "technically advanced", so was often misused.

kind of like executives talking about “digital transformation” in business…like its a new thing. Only been happening for 60-ish years now.

 

[SteveCS]

My Genz Benz Streamliner makes me not care
Nothing I can do to it makes it "sound digital"
...

Likewise for my Shuttle 6.0 that still floors me every time I turn it up.

 

[agedhorse]

Interesting, this looks like something I wrote years ago to try to explain to non-technical players a technology that's inherently difficult to explain.

Class D is not digital in the commonly accepted technically accurate sense of the word, though it uses non-linear analog techniques that have easier to understand analogies to the digital world.

Class D "encodes" the audio information in the time domain, once that time has passed it's over. It really can't be stored or manipulated in the digital domain BUT the confusion occurs because the signal itself can be stored as a PWM signal, though it can't be easily manipulated through computation except through conversion.

The "digital to analog conversion" mentioned refers to the non-linear analog (PWM) to linear analog (audio signal) conversion which is done with a high pass filter at the output of the process after the level shifting.

 

[Pings Bass]

I've posted my cheat sheet a couple times before, and I'll post it again:
Class A: analog, must use analog speakers
Class B: butane-powered (careful around open flame!)
Class AB: analog wattage with butane ohmage, loads < 2 ohms are extremely flammable
Class C: covid-resistant, mask still recommended indoors
Class D: digital, must use digital speakers; divide wattage by two to get equivalent analog power; inferior sound when used with analog speakers
Class Q: quantum power, infinite wattage but if you run a load under 2 ohms you may produce a singularity (not recommended)

 

[Thegreatzambini]

Interesting, this looks like something I wrote years ago to try to explain to non-technical players a technology that's inherently difficult to explain.

Class D is not digital in the commonly accepted technically accurate sense of the word, though it uses non-linear analog techniques that have easier to understand analogies to the digital world.

Class D "encodes" the audio information in the time domain, once that time has passed it's over. It really can't be stored or manipulated in the digital domain BUT the confusion occurs because the signal itself can be stored as a PWM signal, though it can't be easily manipulated through computation except through conversion.

The "digital to analog conversion" mentioned refers to the non-linear analog (PWM) to linear analog (audio signal) conversion which is done with a high pass filter at the output of the process after the level shifting.

Thank you Good sir, beautiful explanation that is easy to understand and I appreciate the clarification.