Just wanted to bash you a little on Class D. I agree that there are plenty of ICE and nCore devices around that provide value and some quality at a price, but there is Class D technology designed by the likes of Devialet, Primare and Linn that is exceptionally good and much more practical and efficient than A/B. The power supply is equally important as the amplifier, producing huge amounts of instant power, and many of them are hybrid amplifiers.
The efficiency makes it possible to produce a seriously good audio system in one box. Integrated A/B one-box systems have been around since the 1970s, usually under 100w, but in recent years Hegel and AVM (others I don’t know) have been able to produce A/B high power one box systems with streaming. I think PSA are way off doing that as the investment would be enormous and BHK doesn’t even work at PSA.
This is why, personally, Im more interested in just a preamp and dual mono blocks in one box. You can see from my profile that is all i use my integrated M6si for…the rest of my components are separates - which im ok with.
Agreed, but ow to get the already stuffed large BHK S-250 or 2 x BHK M-300 including the BHK pre-amp into an attractive sized and looking enclosure, that would be a major undertaking, far and beyond the efforts they had to go through with the Strata.
If you see the rather empty Stellar Gain Cell DAC enclosure (picture below), you understand how relatively easy (compared to the BHK equipment, not in absolute terms) it was to design the Strata.
I trust the BHK Pre + 2 x the Stellar M1200 (tube input stage + class D) is from a sound quality a killer combo and more compact than an integrated of BHK Pre and 2 x M-300 could ever be.
The looks would be tremendously messy with the different enclosures.
Thinking of this: How about combo of BHK Pre with 2 x M1200? It would probably be feasible in a reasonable sized enclosure, the tube stage and linear power supply for the init stage is already in the BHK Pre and the power supplies for the 1200 Class-D are already developed (purchased) for the M-1200.
Anyway, I enjoy this thread, thanks for bringing the subject up.
And this is also not the existing BHK electronics, but a result of a dedicated development project of Gryphon.
Although a smart one, allowing the customer to choose between a high end integrated phono module or DAC module or just pre-power amp combo without module.
I think it’s about 25 year old … my second integrated amp. Good at the time, a similar Gryphon integrated is 10-15k today I’d say. Don’t know how much different they sound…the looks also from inside are similar to an innocent‘s eye
Since this amp I got a Class A or tube or both guy and was finished with pure solid state AB.
This one is Hypex and costs about $900. Hosts Amazon HD. The streaming is great but the 60w amp lacks a bit of refinement. Just a lot of traditional electronics stuffed a box.
This is 30 pounds of heavenly joy.
Class A / Class D hybrid amplifier, Roon Ready streamer, DSP, programmable phono stage, A/D and D/A conversion including usb output, all inputs and filters customisable, including sub outputs. Top left is an ultra fast switch mode power supply that is key to good Class D. Nothing traditional about this at all.
From that list. I’ve heard Devialet in details and it didn’t impress me. It sure had INSANE power for its size, which I admit is a huge benefit when application requires it, but from the sound quality perspective alone, it wasn’t in my top-tier list. I’ve also been to both rooms of Primare and Linn at AXPONA and wasn’t blown away but admittedly didn’t spend as much in critical listening.
My point was, packaging an ICE or Hypex amp with fancy chassis, is STILL an ICE or nCore amp. I agree the same modules could sound better or worse depending on input stage, power supply or other component quality, BUT the overall sound and shortcomings remain across the board for all of these standard module-based Class-D amps, and NONE could compete at the higher end with Class A/B amplifiers that are engineered propertly!
Another thought… has anyone designed a Class D + Class A/B combo amplifier? Essentially a bi-amp for low and highs? Class A/B to feed the highs, Class D for lows? Similar to the new amazing Macintosh bi-amp product that uses Tubes for highs and solid state for low, but with Class D instead? I know Elac has done that for their active speakers, using a Class D for their woofer, and Class A/B for mid and highs. Could something like that work and be the best of both worlds?
Most active speakers and subs use Class D. Cheap grunt.
Otherwise, Quad takes Class A and dumps Class B current. Hence it’s called a current dumper. The current unit is called the Quad Artera. 150w of great, cheap power. It’s patented, but been very popular since the 1980s. 280w monoblocks are also available.
Devialet Expert does something similar as Quad current dumping, using Class A for the signal voltage and Class D on top.
This is an inside view of my Class D amp. (mono amp, I have two of these)
The little card in the lower right is the Hypex module. It is attached to what I believe is a Class A input stage. The left side of the case is all power supply. I am told by the designer that the power supply has made an important upgrade to the sound.
When I see other Class D amps the Class D card is usually larger than the power supply. This may explain why Class D amps might fail to impress. Nobody who has sat down to listen to mine has said anything negative. I have other amps, these are my choice.
I am trying to figure out the three toroidal power supplies. The two blue plastic encased ones must be DC supply. The open core one must be AC. I think use what sounds best. I love my lyngdorf class D for low loads. Makes me wNt to try it again with room correction active. Maybe i will try it on my bedroom line arrays. At high current load the lyngdorf did not drive my XR290 as well as my old MC2500’s bridged to 1000 WPC. I need to go head to head with my MC1000s. Always curious.
