Audiophiles - maybe not as I thought

[Ren Kitchener]

Now, I was talking to a couple of high-end amplifier distributors in the UK and in the US, and they surprisingly seem to be focussed on tube amps. The comment I received: "Audiophiles are not keen on Class D". With Purifi and Hypex amplifier components, the two words; Audiophile and Ultra-HiFi Class D is a far, far better marriage. Is this true - are Audiophiles really that keen on tube amps? Or, are some high-end distributors making a larger profit from the tube amps? Or, have I been talking to the wrong people?

I accept subjective opinions, and I do appreciate that the sound can be different - even between tube amps, but when you can't hear the distortion of a tube amp because the THD figures are so low, then how would you be able to tell any significant difference - unless the THD figures are wrong and/or 'one' has been 'coerced' into to believing that everything that glows, is Gold (with a breath-taking price tag to prove it)?

NOTE: I have only recently started to like the idea of Class D - I don't want to have to go backwards.

 

[Pogre]

My experience with tube amps is very limited but this thread has some potential to be fun.

 

[NINaudio]

When people say they like the "warmth" of tube amps over class D, that's because they like the distortions that tube amps add to the signal. Accurate amplification doesn't impart any sonic signature to the end product.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I was talking to a couple of high-end amplifier distributors

That is just the opinion of TWO people.

There are a lot more class AB/D audiophiles than tube amps.

 

[lovinthehd]

There are a lot of wacky folk who identify as "audiophiles" too. Seems many of them are more about preference than accuracy, so perhaps not true audiophiles in that sense either. Tubes and vinyl work out as fussy and expensive and tweeky....an "audiophile" dream for some I suppose. Not me. I'm fine with my class AB, D, G, H or whatever amps as long as they are accurate with relatively low distortion and work well.....but I'm no "ampliphile" either. Tubes never attracted a purchase from me, have experienced them in my younger days....haven't seen one in forever. Altho one friend of mine now swears by his tube amps, I just haven't visited since he moved away....but plan to someday as he swears its "special".....

 

[ryanosaur]

I think Class D is ready, and if nothing else matters than measurements to so many people, why are the Hypex and Purifi Amps some of the best testing on ASRs chart? With Amir even giving them recommendations!!! If they weren't suitable for his snob appeal, then we would've had Decapitated Panthers aplenty.

 

[Ren Kitchener]

When people say they like the "warmth" of tube amps over class D, that's because they like the distortions that tube amps add to the signal. Accurate amplification doesn't impart any sonic signature to the end product.

Now this is the funny thing - with 'tone' control, just a subtle increase in bass can add 'warmth' - and I do feel it's a nicer 'warmth'. To add, I'm with @lovinthehd - the valve/tube distortion to my ear is an experience of my younger days - there are good valve/tube DSP simulators out there, and when you drive them a little to hear the effects of the distortion, I'm always a bit disappointed: I don't hear 'warmth' - I hear 'boxy'.