Propietory Class D amp

[Gene Leone]

I am not into "technical things" and never have been so can some explain this "Proprietory Class D" amp.

When I bought a UL502 this was called the future of bass technology by Bass Player.

I asked Nick E for an explanation but he said it was too complex.

I do know it has something to do with the switching system.

So can anyone give me the jist of other classes/switching system vs this new class of amp/switching system in an intellegent but understandable way.

Sorry if it takes you a bit to type out as it might.

Thanks

 

[unclejam]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_amplifier

 

[fdeck]

An "ideal" amplifier puts out an output voltage proportional to the input. Conventional amps let the output vary smoothly and continuously. Instead, a switching or "Class D" amplifier literally switches the output on and off at a very high rate, so that on average the output is proportional to the input. Some switching noise is also present on the output, which is filtered out before it reaches your speakers. Also, this noise is at a frequency that is way above what you can hear.

What's the motivation? Class-D is much more thermally efficient (upwards of 90%, instead of at best 50% for a conventional amp) which reduces power supply and heat sink requirements. The result is an amp that is smaller and lighter for the same amount of output power. With effort, Class-D can be made sonically identical to conventional solid state amps.

In my opinion, expect Class-D to dominate bass amplification in the next few years. It is already becoming prevalent in higher end lightweight amps, and in many PA power amps.

 

[seamonkey]

In my opinion, expect Class-D to dominate bass amplification in the next few years. It is already becoming prevalent in higher end lightweight amps, and in many PA power amps.

+1
I very glad to see major manufacturers in pro gear switching to class-d.