I must confess that I'm very new to amplifier building. I'm more familiar with speaker building though.
I'm wondering that, with nowadays technology, where does the trend go for amplifier comparing between Class AB and Class D?
My friend told me that Class D is now becoming more popular than before because of the advancement of technology that can break the limited of the old Class D. Is it true?
To my understanding, Class D in those days is limited by its operation where it performs like PWM to form sine-wave. Hence, the sine-wave wasn't enough smooth compared to Class AB's. But nowadays Class D amplifier can operate the samplig rates in higher frequency than before, thus, the sine-wave is more smoother and perhaps better than some worse desinged Class AB's. Am I correct?
I'm wondering that, with nowadays technology, where does the trend go for amplifier comparing between Class AB and Class D?
My friend told me that Class D is now becoming more popular than before because of the advancement of technology that can break the limited of the old Class D. Is it true?
To my understanding, Class D in those days is limited by its operation where it performs like PWM to form sine-wave. Hence, the sine-wave wasn't enough smooth compared to Class AB's. But nowadays Class D amplifier can operate the samplig rates in higher frequency than before, thus, the sine-wave is more smoother and perhaps better than some worse desinged Class AB's. Am I correct?
Hello,
As expected there are very good of both classes of amplifiers and some pretty bad ones as well.
Personally the better class D amps sound extremely good (to me) and use so much less electricity (power) that I see no reason not to use them. Good sound and so much better for the environment. Check reviews and stay with good quality ones of whichever class you decide to go with.
As expected there are very good of both classes of amplifiers and some pretty bad ones as well.
Personally the better class D amps sound extremely good (to me) and use so much less electricity (power) that I see no reason not to use them. Good sound and so much better for the environment. Check reviews and stay with good quality ones of whichever class you decide to go with.
It depends on what you want to do. If you want to build an amp from scratch, its much easier to build an AB that sounds good, than a class D with similar quality.
Even following available designs class D is very hard to get to the same quality levels as AB. But of course it is also a matter of time. AB DIY designs are around for many years and also very mature, it will need a bit of time for class D to catch up in DIY.
And most DIYers also don't give class D a real chance. But i should be silent here, using a Class A and one Tube AMP, first i need to give AB a real chance 😉
Even following available designs class D is very hard to get to the same quality levels as AB. But of course it is also a matter of time. AB DIY designs are around for many years and also very mature, it will need a bit of time for class D to catch up in DIY.
And most DIYers also don't give class D a real chance. But i should be silent here, using a Class A and one Tube AMP, first i need to give AB a real chance 😉
Agreed. The class-d-amp is by far not described by its circuit diagram, but by the physical pcb-layout as well. Which is an own science in itself.
Your understanding is pretty accurate. I doubt there will ever be a consensus of what sounds better, not unlike the results of previous technological changes. Class D is now simply another option.
Hey guys, I'm kinda jumping in on this thread but I guess my question is analogue to Prescot's.
I currently have a Neurochrome Modulus 86 (Class AB) with which I'm very satisfied with at the moment but I'm thinking about the next projet.
I previously had a Nuprime STA9 (class D) and the modulus was better in every aspect.
I'd like to have a little more power and I don't know in which direction go either try class D again with a Purifi ET400 or stay with Neurochrome and buy a Modulus 286 or a 686.
Thank you in advance for your comments !
I currently have a Neurochrome Modulus 86 (Class AB) with which I'm very satisfied with at the moment but I'm thinking about the next projet.
I previously had a Nuprime STA9 (class D) and the modulus was better in every aspect.
I'd like to have a little more power and I don't know in which direction go either try class D again with a Purifi ET400 or stay with Neurochrome and buy a Modulus 286 or a 686.
Thank you in advance for your comments !
Its easy today to build powerful DIY class D to beat Class AB
Im nor talking about TOYS class d amps with Chips
But need to learn the science and basics about Class D
Reliable circuit designs are not available for the general public
You need a microscope to spot the differences between these. Almost identical sterile high nfb, ultra-low thd sound. There is more to amps, broaden your horizons, you may like it 🙂
obviously it is not so easy.
And a no-go for beginners.
I see many "toys" here build from discrete components claiming output in the kw-range. Without any kind of overcurrent or overtemperature protection. Nothing I would connect to power at all. And if you look at the massive protection circuits inside the TI-chips, these definitely do a fine job, worth some respect to these designs.
These are the rugged designs nowadays.😉
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"Plug and play" SMPS influence, on "modern" amps.
*I believe - SMPS has helped / [influenced] the class D world...
Smaller / more "affordable", much high(er) powered products,
reduced cost for chassis, to house humongous power transformer...
capacitors, and fundamental power supply (build) costs.
Making the technologies available to the masses,
to the skilled and crafty DIY community...
**It appears that SMPS, prospects of regulation, 'current limiting'
I prefer to build using (big, heavy, $$$) that are point to point wired
promoting great(er) drive, attack and dynamic headroom.
Most Class D power amps ..can.. sound "clamped" to me,
in terms of dynamics... on complex, heavy passages.
I am building MOSFET, Bi-Polar, (also) Hypex and ICE modules,
all run off of the same power suppl(ies). *UCD-400HRX / ICE 500A
**A very long term test... in the works.
Each technology has its advantages and merits, depending...
on how they are used. I am most comfortable building,
living, listening in a CLASS AB world.
*I believe - SMPS has helped / [influenced] the class D world...
Smaller / more "affordable", much high(er) powered products,
reduced cost for chassis, to house humongous power transformer...
capacitors, and fundamental power supply (build) costs.
Making the technologies available to the masses,
to the skilled and crafty DIY community...
**It appears that SMPS, prospects of regulation, 'current limiting'
I prefer to build using (big, heavy, $$$) that are point to point wired
promoting great(er) drive, attack and dynamic headroom.
Most Class D power amps ..can.. sound "clamped" to me,
in terms of dynamics... on complex, heavy passages.
I am building MOSFET, Bi-Polar, (also) Hypex and ICE modules,
all run off of the same power suppl(ies). *UCD-400HRX / ICE 500A
**A very long term test... in the works.
Each technology has its advantages and merits, depending...
on how they are used. I am most comfortable building,
living, listening in a CLASS AB world.
Attachments
The switching frequency is just one of many aspects of a class-D design. There are several approaches to how class-D amps work including self-oscillating, delta-sigma, ..., lots of patents on the subject, and the dead time is a critical issue. I suggest you read the Hypex white papers.
Hypex Electronics B.V.
Also articles at International Rectifier, Texas Instruments, etc.
Hypex Electronics B.V.
Also articles at International Rectifier, Texas Instruments, etc.
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This is my findings as well. Class D at least for the UCD's that I've built 3 units, they sound much better with good old linear psu then smps. If it has improve much now then so much the better.
Amps are like cars, if your happy with what you've got good for you, one should never compare cause the minute you do so the devil in you appears. Lol . Like me I should say overall I've got a pretty good set up now but once I heard my friends 845 set up with tweaked Altec A7s wow wow but thankfully brought myself back down to earth cause A7s are like having a coffins in the living room. Lol
Yes
and you can also add double feedback, self oscillating or clocked
dead time is no problem, easy to handle
DIY Class D 2600 W RMS @ 4 OHM
for professional including protection and limiters
is no problem
But without secrets about LPF design DIY Class D will fail very fast
How about the Modulus86 mid-high, then classD amp on the low end? Is it not the low end that requires the power? The sub 100Hz is optimum for a classD because the output filter can be set very low and the high frequency issues with classD diminishes.
For DIY very good classD becomes very difficult because the layout is so critical at > audio frequencies, as has been mentioned. It is not trivial. Besides the smaller the better size means you need high power magnification, special soldering equipment, etc.