Double Bass What is Class D amps?

[Barcza]

Could you explain, this currently popular Class D technology ( uses AI, EA, Markbass, Hevos and others). Of course I know few things, the the amps can smaller, least weight etc. But I intrested more in practice, your observations. As compared to Linear mode, Switch mode, CLASS 'A', CLASS 'B', CLASS 'AB'?

 

[skeptikal]

Class A, Class B, Class A/B = high current amplifiers
Class D = more efficient.

I couldn't really tell you how they apply but in the car audio world, a Class D amplifier does not take as much power to produce a signal than a class A/B does. Although I've heard the Class A/B's have a better sound to them.

 

[reedo35]

Tube vs Transistor, analog vs Digital, Vinyl vs CD.
It's all very subjective to your preferences (and lifting capabilities)

 

[bolo]

Here's something from the EA web site:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Google for "class D amp" and you'll get a bunch more links, usually quite technical in nature and thus far over my head.

 

[Barcza]

Here's something from the EA web site:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Google for "class D amp" and you'll get a bunch more links, usually quite technical in nature and thus far over my head.

Yes I know this article from EA web site. But I more intrested in personal impressions.

 

[Barcza]

Tube vs Transistor, analog vs Digital, Vinyl vs CD.
It's all very subjective to your preferences (and lifting capabilities)

That mutch diffrences? The Class D amps sonds different from others like Tube sounds different than Transistor?

 

[KJung]

Class D amps are smaller, lighter, and run cooler than the standard class A/B amps and other designs. I'm not an EE, so it's better to do a Google search if you really want to learn the technical differences.

One thing that confuses people is the difference between the amplifier and power supply.

The very lightweight amps like the Markbass amps, Walter Woods, AI, etc. use switch mode power supplies (SMPS), which are much smaller and lighter than the big, traditional power transformers used in other designs.

However, you can have a class D amps with a large, traditional power supply (iAmp500/800 and Epi502). This results in a very cool running amp, moderate weight, and until recently, resulted in more low end ooomph than the switching power supply amps available like the Walter Woods.

On the other had, you can have a class A/B amp with a switching power supply, like the Markbass LMII and the Genz Benz Neo Pak.... small and lightweight, but some would say warmer and more natural sounding than their class D counterparts.

And of course, you can have class D and switching power supply amps, like the Markbass F1, the AI amps, the Walter Woods, the Genz 6.0/3.0 and the iAmp300... very small, very light, most don't need fans.

It's hard to attribute a tone to 'class D' amps... the F1 and Walter Woods are very quick, bright, even sounding, while the AI Focus and Clarus are warmer, darker and more organic. The Genz 6.0 has a tube in the pre, which adds another dimension.

In short, decide what weight and price you can deal with, and then use your ears. The days of class D or switching power supply amps sounding thin or harsh versus their more traditional counterparts is long gone IMO and IME

 

[reedo35]

That mutch diffrences? The Class D amps sonds different from others like Tube sounds different than Transistor?

To some peoples' ears, yes. Some transistors are very tube like and vice versa as well. Once again though , if you dig the sound, one way or the other, then that's the best for you.

 

[drurb]

It's hard to attribute a tone to 'class D' amps... In short, decide what weight and price you can deal with, and then use your ears. The days of class D or switching power supply amps sounding thin or harsh versus their more traditional counterparts is long gone IMO and IME

+1. This is the beginning and the end.

 

[drurb]

To some peoples' ears, yes. Some transistors are very tube like and vice versa as well. Once again though , if you dig the sound, one way or the other, then that's the best for you.

Any differences heard among such modern amplifier designs are not at all likely to be attributable to the "class" of the output.

 

[Barcza]

.

It's hard to attribute a tone to 'class D' amps... the F1 and Walter Woods are very quick, bright, even sounding, while the AI Focus and Clarus are warmer, darker and more organic. The Genz 6.0 has a tube in the pre, which adds another dimension.
:

The "quick, bright, even sounding is preferable for me. Could you offer for me more amps with this character? Becouse the WW very expensive and the F1 has low inpadence input.

 

[shwashwa]

The "quick, bright, even sounding is preferable for me. Could you offer for me more amps with this character? Becouse the WW very expensive and the F1 has low inpadence input.

if you like the F1 then get it and put an inexpensive pre amp in front of it with the appropriate input impedance (like fdeck's preamp)

 

[Barcza]

if you like the F1 then get it and put an inexpensive pre amp in front of it with the appropriate input impedance (like fdeck's preamp)

I newer tried the F1, but the caracter that you explain, is very appealing for me ( quick, even ). Most of the time I don't like to use additional preamp with URB, becouse every preamp add more color to the sound, and the sound start to tend to unnatural. Why markbass could not ship their product with 1mohm input?

 

[dar512]

fdeck's preamp does not color the stream and also has the high-pass filter which I hear is quite useful. fdeck doesn't sell outside the US, but if you can get a friend to purchase it for you, that would be a good route to go.

Failing that, you might look into the Behringer acoustic preamp. It also does not color the stream when the stomp button is turned off. In that mode it just does the impedance fixup.

 

[Barcza]

Maybe you thing me snobbish, but I newer go for Behringer products. The fdeck seems to right, but every preamp make more complicated the URB amplification, for example care about the batteries. Before an important concert you have to get new batteries if you dont want risk that, your battery break down during the show, or if during the sound check your rig dont play, you have to check one more thing over cables, pickup, amp. Anyway the L.R. Baggs Gigpro could be another solution and with $$$$ the Avalon U5.

 

[bolo]

I tried the L.R. Baggs Gigpro and did not like it because it did color the sound IMO. Kind of a mid-scoop. Too thick for my tastes. Probably great for a jingly-jangly 6-string guitar though.

OTOH, I don't find that the HPF-Pre or my D-TAR Solstice color the sound much at all.

The Avalon U5 is reportedly the bomb for DB and slab. I have talked to several players who say it adds something to their sound they just cannot get any other way.

OTOH, I played through a Behringer unit for the first time ever last night on a slab gig. I was just playing a P-bass with a pick through someone's else's rig. 450 watt head and 4x10 cab. I kind of liked it for the 2 tunes I played w/ it.