ABH-2 is not a class D amplifier but a "classic bi -polar amp" as you say. Did you tell "bias" ?
Thanks for the correction and the link, still looking for an answer.ABH-2 is not a class D amplifier but a "classic bi -polar amp" as you say. Did you tell "bias" ?
Has any one actually compared a classic bi -polar amp like accuphase or parasound against the heavily biased press toward the latest Class D offerings like the Benchmark amp?
Good answer, John. If you add the amp matching or coupling to specific speakers, the problem of choice becomes even more complex, I have actualy bought a dozen power amps this year, the results are surprising both good and bad.Plenty of anecdotal and subjective comparisons are out there, but they are full of fluff and thin on objective differences. The Benchmark is underpowered for a stereo power amplifier. As a bridged mono amplifier, it is in the realms of reasonably adequate power for a SOTA product, but you need two, and the performance drops off in some key areas.
Accuphase gear is essentially product you will own for your lifetime. You'll never want anything else. Ever. It costs a fortune, but is built absolutely beautifully, is extremely conservatively designed and their specifictions are very modest. They always outperform their "guaranteed" specs, particularly in the rated power department.
If you are looking for objective comparisons, it gets tricky and a whole slew of arguments ensue. There are performance parameters where "classic" amplifers exceed Class Ds and there are some Class Ds that challenge any, and all traditional designs in other areas. The playing field is not level unfortunately.
At this point, Class D in the forms of the Hypex and Purifi offerings are close to, but not equalling, other excellent topologies. But what they do for the money is essentially impossible to beat. That makes for a compelling value proposition for many people. Trouble is, the implementations are a 'wild west' of quality and there are only a few companies doing justice to the amplifier modules themselves.
Absolute SOTA in amplification is say, a Halcro Eclipse. As far as I am aware, nothing comes close in all the parameters that actually define a high fidelity amplifier. But a pair costs US$70k... (AU $120k in Aus). Ouch. They are my lottery winnings amps.
@boXem | audio (above) has a range of Class Ds. I have not used or heard any of his products, but based on the attention to detail in design and assembly, I would expect them to be a very good option, albeit at a much lower and affordable price.
Good answer, John. If you add the amp matching or coupling to specific speakers, the problem of choice becomes even more complex, I have actualy bought a dozen power amps this year, the results are surprising both good and bad.
If your question is "classic" amplification vs "modern" class D, I have one anecdotal experience with one of my customers who measured FR and distortion from his speakers powered by my stereo Purifi on one side, good old class A monoblocs on the other side.Thanks for the correction and the link, still looking for an answer.
The beginning of your statement is true, even if a bit of attention is needed when integrating these modules and complying to various regulations requires a lot of work. The end is completely false. Getting a high performance class D requires a lot more engineering than a high performance class H. This is why only 3 to 4 companies are on the market supplying both minor and major OEMs.There is also the fact that anyone can be an audiophile manufacturer, just buy some hypex or Pascal or other modules and a nice thick aluminium box; take it to a show and you are in business. Other classes of amplification have been abandoned becose they require circuit design and reseach; class H is a good example.
Its because its hard to design a good class D implementation. Class A and A/B are pretty easy compared to class D.There is also the fact that anyone can be an audiophile manufacturer, just buy some hypex or Pascal or other modules and a nice thick aluminium box; take it to a show and you are in business. Other classes of amplification have been abandoned becose they require circuit design and reseach; class H is a good example.
@restorer-john
I'm going to take this opportunity to just say how much I appreciate your presence on this forum, the majority of people here would rather act cynical and bougie than take time to explain things to the less experienced.
Its because its hard to design a good class D implementation. Class A and A/B are pretty easy compared to class D.
Like you may have found, many amplifier and speaker combinations are hard or impossible to predict. Some just work and others don't.
Does this imply that a “load tolerance” test which measures output fidelity vs load angle is missing? Is there a figure of merit that could arise from such a test?
Class D from modules is harder class A/B from scratch? I guess I'll just call into work today and tell them to have the cleaning lady do the class A/B designs, and I'll go fishing.Its because its hard to design a good class D implementation. Class A and A/B are pretty easy compared to class D.
Well, he said "Class D from scratch" not using a module. And the RF issues are an added complication.Class D from modules is harder class A/B from scratch? I guess I'll just call into work today and tell them to have the cleaning lady do the class A/B designs, and I'll go fishing.