Class D power amplifiers

Are class D amps finally ready for prime time for audioholics, even audiophiles, if not why not?

  • Yes

    Votes: 38 67.9%
  • Yes, but probably not audiophiles

    Votes: 2 3.6%
  • May be, it depends..

    Votes: 7 12.5%
  • Don't know

    Votes: 5 8.9%
  • No, they are not ready for prime time because..

    Votes: 1 1.8%
  • Yes, but only those with good specs confirmed by bench tests

    Votes: 6 10.7%

  • Total voters
    56
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
You really have ampliphilia, don't you?
Not really, I just believe in the fact that, Buy it right the first time is buying it to last, regardless of cost. Things cost what they cost, and trying to do it on the cheap, never works in the long run. These people that are selling
these cheaply produced class "D" power amps, always rely on the blurb, when there discribing the product, that the measurements are first class. What they fail to say is that measurements mean nothing, when it comes to performance . Amps ether sound right or they don't. But unfortunately there targeting the gullible and uninformed buyer, who believes what he's getting is a genuine and comparable to a higher priced model. Of cause for the buyer the end result is no amp [ when it dies, ] and no money. On the subject of failure or breakdowns a friend obtained one of these Hypex models. We hooked it up to a pair of Equinox Jupiter's, rated at 2 ohms the Hypex lasted about 10 minutes ,before self distraction .
As for top of the range models these would be good value if your in the ultra high end market, and yes they do sell. But rarely come up on the used market https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisah371-dan-d-agostino-relentless-mono-amplifier-power-amps
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Not really, I just believe in the fact that, Buy it right the first time is buying it to last, regardless of cost. Things cost what they cost, and trying to do it on the cheap, never works in the long run. These people that are selling
these cheaply produced class "D" power amps, always rely on the blurb, when there discribing the product, that the measurements are first class. What they fail to say is that measurements mean nothing, when it comes to performance . Amps ether sound right or they don't. But unfortunately there targeting the gullible and uninformed buyer, who believes what he's getting is a genuine and comparable to a higher priced model. Of cause for the buyer the end result is no amp [ when it dies, ] and no money. On the subject of failure or breakdowns a friend obtained one of these Hypex models. We hooked it up to a pair of Equinox Jupiter's, rated at 2 ohms the Hypex lasted about 10 minutes ,before self distraction .
As for top of the range models these would be good value if your in the ultra high end market, and yes they do sell. But rarely come up on the used market https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisah371-dan-d-agostino-relentless-mono-amplifier-power-amps
Oh I remember some of what you said about class d. Your posts/quotes are kinda screwed up in format, not sure how you do that. Ultra high end usually just translates to idiot being taken by charlatans....
 
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
Ultra high end usually just translates to idiot being taken by charlatans....
Does that also apply to other high priced products such as Watches, Cars, and homes. The high end world is something most people never encounter, but that does not make them charlatans. Look at places like Dubai, No sales tax, no income tax.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Does that also apply to other high priced products such as Watches, Cars, and homes. The high end world is something most people never encounter, but that does not make them charlatans. Look at places like Dubai, No sales tax, no income tax.
Depends what you call an improvement/investment....rather than an actual highly functional device.....not all the same things You're really going to travel from Australia to Munich just for a high end audio circle jerk?
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
Look at places like Dubai, No sales tax, no income tax.
Dubai.
Huh.
UAE has 1% of the population in control of 50% of the wealth.
How about total income from 2020... the bottom 50% of the population had 5.8% of the income.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Dubai.
Huh.
UAE has 1% of the population in control of 50% of the wealth.
How about total income from 2020... the bottom 50% of the population had 5.8% of the income.
Oh yeah get all responsible and educational and all ;)
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
Oh yeah get all responsible and educational and all ;)
Meh.
Just saw where this line might be going.
Thought I'd kick it in the nuts and walk away.

For some reason, people always say I don't play well with others.

*shrugs
The Office Walk Away GIF - The Office Walk Away Not Happy - Discover &  Share GIFs
 
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
UAE has 1% of the population in control of 50% of the wealth.
Dubai is unique in the way it's social stricter is formed. If your one of the first families or related to the governing family, then your wealth and all that comes with it is unlimited. Most family members never work, The working class are mainly Asian, and then we have an endless supply of tourists, Who pay for everything and there also limited as to where they go and what they can do. Also talk about the governing family and your out on your ear, instantly.

Most goods are tax free, which reduces the buying price, But Vat or GST in payable when you return. Or before you collect from the selected freight carrier. Audio is limited to all the standard makes and models. For specialist or ultra hi-end, the place to be is Istanbul, Turkey. Extreme Audio is reported to have 11 display / audition rooms ,With mainly having systems in excess of a million dollars. Another place is in Jeddah, UAE But I have yet to find a web site or address.
 
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
Munich just for a high end audio circle jerk
Business trip, we had to delay earlier trips due to covid travel restrictions.

But I really don't under stand why your so nasty with your replies, or super critical, About things you have little to no knowledge off . I have no intention of getting into a debate or arguing with you. Your simply not worth the trouble, and I have no intention of risking getting the boot from this nice friendly forum. So I would really suggest whatever your problem is, you recover quickly.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Business trip, we had to delay earlier trips due to covid travel restrictions.

But I really don't under stand why your so nasty with your replies, or super critical, About things you have little to no knowledge off . I have no intention of getting into a debate or arguing with you. Your simply not worth the trouble, and I have no intention of risking getting the boot from this nice friendly forum. So I would really suggest whatever your problem is, you recover quickly.
So you are in the high end audio business? No wonder....

My original complaint was your ridiculous assessment of a class d amp and how it functioned.....talk about who doesn't know how things work!
 
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
My original complaint was your ridiculous assessment of a class d amp and how it functioned.
Not really many Class "D" amps have a sub-standard power supply, which reflects on the quality of the sound produced. These cheap Chinese
products that seem to have infected the lower end of the market. Are a prime example of this. Tell us just what models of these Chinese class
"D" amps do you actually own Or are you simply relying on the promotional reports that you have read.

Why do you think brands the like of Bel-Canto, Mola-Mola and Devialet [[switching from class "A" to class "D" ] cost what they cost,. Quality power supplies
cost money. Which is something you simply fail to understand. In other words you only get what you pay for. But if your happy to spend good money on rubbish
all power to you.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Not really many Class "D" amps have a sub-standard power supply, which reflects on the quality of the sound produced. These cheap Chinese
products that seem to have infected the lower end of the market. Are a prime example of this. Tell us just what models of these Chinese class
"D" amps do you actually own Or are you simply relying on the promotional reports that you have read.

Why do you think brands the like of Bel-Canto, Mola-Mola and Devialet [[switching from class "A" to class "D" ] cost what they cost,. Quality power supplies
cost money. Which is something you simply fail to understand. In other words you only get what you pay for. But if your happy to spend good money on rubbish
all power to you.
LOL see what I mean?
 
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
LOL see what I mean?
Lost for words are we, As I said your simply blowing smoke.
And I thought we where going into an in-depth discussion of the wonderments of your experiences of a Class "D" system
Which I'm sure everyone else here would love to hear. In stead your just insulting people, with your smart-arsed reply's.
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Not really many Class "D" amps have a sub-standard power supply, which reflects on the quality of the sound produced. These cheap Chinese
products that seem to have infected the lower end of the market. Are a prime example of this. Tell us just what models of these Chinese class
"D" amps do you actually own Or are you simply relying on the promotional reports that you have read.

Why do you think brands the like of Bel-Canto, Mola-Mola and Devialet [[switching from class "A" to class "D" ] cost what they cost,. Quality power supplies
cost money. Which is something you simply fail to understand. In other words you only get what you pay for. But if your happy to spend good money on rubbish
all power to you.
It is not a bad thing to have both cheap/lower end and the more expensive/higher end products so people have more choices. Some people may just not want to spend more than a few hundred dollars on audio electronics and those who prefer the higher end, better quality ones may not have the budget for those.

If one wants to try some more expensive (relatively) Chinese made ones, there are the likes of Topping's, such as the Pre90 and LA90 ($1,600 for two, to bridge).

Topping Pre90 line preamplifier | Stereophile.com
Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

The reviewer tried it with his big Revel Salon2 (see post#591):
Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

Note: The LA90 is not a class D amp

He seemed impressed, based on his comments:
I just spent half hour listening to LA90 with my Revel Salon 2 speakers. "Normal" listening level for me was at 1 to 2 o'clock. Loudness did not change past 3 o'clock. I played some at max level which was fairly loud although not scary so :). The sound was incredibly clean and nice. I could not fault the amplifier for anything. Putting my ear right next to the tweeter produced no noise with LA90 at max volume at high gain.

After the half hour, the right side of the amp was quite warm. Almost uncomfortable to touch. Left side was distinctly cooler. Heat is more concentrated on the bottom and lower part of the heatsink.
Bel Canto's class D amps are very nice, but I am sure in an AB comparison, my cheap VTV and Buckeye amps will hold their own. I believe their newer models also use the Hypex modules anyway.
 
Last edited:
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
VTV and Buckeye amps will hold their own
Unfortunately both VTV and Buckeye are unavailable here but like the Topping models are possibly available direct from China. If your prepared to gamble. At the present time there is a huge backlog in Shanghai due mainly to Covid Some companies are quoting up to 6 months wait for delivery. It's even worse for new car delivers, As retail agents are quoting anything up to 12 months or more on delivery.

This report from Reuters news agency HTTPS://www.Reuters.com/world/China/shanghai-considers-more-targeted-covid-curbs-lockdown-enters-4th-week-2022-04-25/ And this https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-61160210

Covid outbreaks are all but not existent in my little patch of the planet, I only venture down to the local shopping center when I really need to [120 kilometers round trip ] Mail / parcel services are twice a week. Our mountain road is cut up what with land slips and rain damage to the road service, it's just about unpassable since it's been raining for close to 6 weeks nonstop.

For the record, a considerable amount of Hi Fi brands and makes are unavailable here due to sellers unwilling to freight. AudiogoN is a prime example of this.. Even Emotiva have pulled the plug here, They have simply said they will not supply the dealer network, even spares and services are now unavailable. You need to freight to your American factory in the event of a failure, paying freight and handling services both ways. Which of cause makes it uneconomical.
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
So, m-b, you don’t know anything about Hypex? Seems like most of what you write about them is assumed; conjecture.
Too bad.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Lost for words are we, As I said your simply blowing smoke.
And I thought we where going into an in-depth discussion of the wonderments of your experiences of a Class "D" system
Which I'm sure everyone else here would love to hear. In stead your just insulting people, with your smart-arsed reply's.
Well I guess it's better than your diatribe about the digital chip stuff you threw out there last time, now you have some magic boutique brand power supplies? Do tell. So you think those boutique brands have some particular performance advantages? What are they? What about March in your own backyard?
 
mono-bloc

mono-bloc

Full Audioholic
it's better than your diatribe about the digital chip stuff you threw out there last time,
Once again your attempting to generate an argument with your reply about my attempts regarding digital chips, No where have I commented on that subject. I simple don't like Class "D" amplification. So I would suggest you except that fact and move on.

March audio are a clone of Mola Mola. They gained a performance award from "What Hi FI" probable due to the large amount they spent on advertising.. That is the way "What Hi Fi" seem to operate. I think if I was shopping for a class "D" power amp my choice would be from Holton Electronic's in Tasmania. They do the full range class A, A/B and D. Together with pre-amps, Dac's and power conditioners. I've owned some of there A/B amps over the years, which are high level . Also another brand would be Elektra Audio, who specialize in high quality power amps. No class D.allowed. Arthur does not have a web site, but has a few retail outlets, plus direct selling via word of mouth. I have one of his 5 channel PA in my HT set-up. I only wish he would produce a line of Pre-amps to complement his range of PA's

So now you can hunt down these websites and retail outlets and become an over night expert, on brands you know nothing about.:(
 
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