A thought on Class D Amps, digital sources and such

[CBRworm]

This may have been mentioned before but:

I have always had a general dislike for Class D amps, but they have gotten a lot better. It occured to me today that I only use digital sources now, so a good Class D amp (thinking PDX4.150) shouldn't be any worse for my music than what I am already limited to by a CD or (lame 320) MP3 and all the digital processing that happens.

I realize that a Class D amp isn't digital, but it is a switching device which can't be any worse than the digital sources we use which have a limited resolution anyway. Or can it?

Suddenly it seems silly to me that I have XXK amps and very good speakers in my car when my source is usually compressed or at best a digital source. It would be different if I had a really good turntable, tape source or live feed. Granted I still want my music to sound as good as possible, but it will never sound as good as it could as I am sure Chad could attest. Maybe I am starting to realize the richard clark theory. I don't believe that all amps sound the same, but maybe with a little tuning I could get away with lesser amps assuming I am not using on board crossovers and they are sufficiently powerful.

Agree? Disagree?

[thechris]

Ultimately, I would judge a class D amplifier based upon its performance. The fact that the implementation has a switching device isn't too important. At heart, it still is an analog amplifier. In many implementations the switching edges are not limited to discrete timings.

can it be worse because its class D, sure. Any amp could be a lemon. but listen first. From what I hear, alpine makes a very nice class D amplifier.

[audiguy]

A digital amp and a digital source are entirely different things. That doesn't make Class D bad though. Two different subjects.

Though I think you want your amps to be just as good as they can be, I personally think they are somewhat biased against in the car audio industry. They get a better rap in home audio. Seems odd.

[t3sn4f2]

Originally Posted by audiguy

A digital amp and a digital source are entirely different things. That doesn't make Class D bad though. Two different subjects.

Though I think you want your amps to be just as good as they can be, I personally think they are somewhat biased against in the car audio industry. They get a better rap in home audio. Seems odd.

I would say "need them to be", and IMO the more you know the less you need them to be.

[SSSnake]

CBRworm,

There are good class Ds and bad ones. The real problem I see in your post in the inference that a turntable is better than a digital source. I have listened to the best turntables and comparably priced CD players, I would take the CD player hands down over any turntable (especially in a car ).