Class AB or Class D amps?

[@drPagi33]

I have a lot of amplifiers (approx. 25-30) both tubular and solid state, also vintage, modern and homemade, A AB B D, but the most beautiful sound for me is produced by a simple homemade 6Q7 + 6M6 class A single-end tubular, not loud, but very musical. Sorry for my english, greetings from Hungary.

[@musicnut1986]

Your english is just fine. Are the build plans for the single ended amp you describe available in english?

[@wishusknight3009]

@@musicnut1986 look up Baby Huey amplifier. Mine is a bout 8 watts and absolutely as musical as anything I have ever heard. www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/326920-el34-baby-huey-amplifier.html

[@richardr.5177]

Thanks, Sure gonna look into the 6Q7...I have also more amps but to build a new one is always fun.

[@drPagi33]

@@musicnut1986 Thank you. I have shematic from amplifier block and photos from this amp.

[@drPagi33]

@@richardr.5177 6Q7 is a double diode+triode tube, I only use the triode section of the tube

[@socleanmx6]

So I'm a southern 35 year old revived bass head but damn I love listening to you speak and describe the sound ...great job with voice tone modulation to convey the sense of satisfaction. You just picked up a new subscriber.

[@ForgetMeNotArchive]

After the pandemic I will driving to psaudio to just meet you paul. Love ur videos

[@animalmuppetmonster664]

Don't forget to buy some snake oil, from Paul too.

[@ForgetMeNotArchive]

@@animalmuppetmonster664 If you watch my channal you would realize i dont buy anything anymore I have over a dozen herron krell mcintosh pieces which i find time to time I cant afford to spend on modern stuff I will probably not like But i do like Paul I honestly believe he is honest most of the time to the best of his knowledge and experience but sometimes he favours brands like audioquest as he is freinds with them and you can not blame him for that its his channal and if you really dont like him no one will force you to watch but I atleast value all who had to work there way building a business for things we like. I do love he showed his home rack is all emotiva i dont think even he can afford the ps audio good stuff

[@falconquest2068]

Wait, did I just hear Paul say class D is okay? I never thought I would hear that. Thanks Paul for your honesty. I'll be looking into those 1200's!

[@powersonic6255]

Wooo Wooo Wooo , hold your horses. Mr Paul is been diplomatic because he sells Class D amplifiers . I mean no disrespect to Mr Paul so let me say that load and clear . If you are looking for long lasting reliable and ruggedly built amplifier I would NOT trust Class just yet or anytime soon . An engineering rule of thumb is simplicity in any design = Reliability .

[@elpechos]

I've been noticing a trend that Paul loves anything that moves money from gullible audiophiles into Paul's pocket. There's been class Ds available with distortion lower than human hearing can notice across the audio band for a decade, but only when Paul's company sells one does Paul change his mind :P

[@BrianPex]

I haven’t dealt with this stuff since the 1990s. Early 90s. In car audio, there was no such thing as D. It was mainly all clean AB high quality and high $$$ amps if you wanted good sound. God I miss those days with clean CD source material as the source. I was 18-19 with a 2600 watt super clean and correctly set up system in my Toyota 4 Runner. Every ride was bliss. Loved it.

[@The_Story_Channel]

I use Peachtree Audio class D amps in my office setup and they sound great to my ears.

[@TheHouheightskid]

Which model? How's the bass? Think it would pair well with Klipsch Heresy IVs?

[@ThinkingBetter]

I prefer Class D for the bass (especially subwoofer) to get max power (dynamics) and class AB for mids and highs to get best precision.

[@HareDeLune]

Sounds like you would love the Devialet hybrid class A/D amps; except for the price, of course. www.stereophile.com/content/devialet-d-premier-da-integrated-amplifier

[@thang1742]

im sure we all, if we wanted a huge sub powered by class a amp we would need a wall transformer haha

[@ThinkingBetter]

​@@HareDeLune Yes, Devialet is perhaps the most creative company in audio amps lately.

[@HareDeLune]

@@ThinkingBetter I would love to give one an audition. : )

[@ThinkingBetter]

@@thang1742 Yes, class A makes no sense when you go for a high power subwoofer. I like my Velodyne servo subwoofers. They are class D and with 3000 Watts peak, 1250 Watts RMS. A class D servo subwoofer is likely much more more precise than a class A traditional subwoofer btw :-)

[@thegrimyeaper]

I switched from D to AB last week. Never going back.

[@scottlowell493]

I switched from a to ab to D. never going back.

[@marianneoelund2940]

Never say never. Tomorrow's class D will not be the same as yesterday's.

[@marianneoelund2940]

@Larry Niles Stuck in a rut.

[@darrens7040]

hey so did I from NAD to Mcintosh still running in the new amp but all ready am enjoying the sound and warmth a lot more.

[@josephkool8411]

Maximum respect Mr Paul

[@f1f278]

A survey found that men usually liked either A or A/B amplifiers, and women liked the big D amps....

[@kartinosurodipo4520]

Class AB is a very mature design. However class D is growing very fast. There is a lot of improvement. A single improvement will affect very far better in class D. For example better mosfet datasheet. implementing better feedback, and so on. You will see always a new born better class D for every soon. Then today Class D can stand at same level clarity with class AB.

[@xjimmy225x]

Love my class D. In a perfect world, with unlimited space and unlimited money, I would take a pair of mega AB mono’s but until I win the lottery I’ll continue to play with my NADs

[@bernardogolub2206]

Me too😊

[@Finn-McCool]

go NADs!

[@randomtube8226]

Most common car audio uses class A/B amplifiers for the mids and highs. Class D amplifiers for subwoofers. Who's to say that it's any different in home audio. However I do prefer full class A monoblocks for full range. In home audio.

[@motorhead7271]

Class D amps are getting better and better but their prices are outpacing their quality. Why would I pay $7k for a class D when I can buy a top notch Class AB amp ( read Bryston) for less then that.

[@20hztremor]

Try a current Linear Power car amplifier class AB in a studio or home if you really want to blow your mind 🤯 They are used in some world renowned recording studios today for their pure quality of sound 👌 I would put them against any high end home or studio amp out there.

[@lastcall9998]

I am subbed to this channel just because you Paul are so cool. Helps you talk about something I have a vague interest in :P

[@BrentLeVasseur]

Get a class A or AB if you live in a cold climate and need a space heater in your home. Get a class D if you live in a warm climate and you don’t want to heat up the room. 😂

[@rw80]

But if that warm climate has a lot of sunshine you can run your class A amp on solar power :-)

[@BrentLeVasseur]

@@rw80 Or do the same with a class D and not heat up your room and save on your electricity bill. lol

[@brianmartin281]

Have a Emerald Physics 100.2 SE Amp Class D love it

[@vivianvaldi7871]

2 x 25W Class D amp who lives in the BC Acoustique speakers SP-102 BT. This active speakers play in the very uncommon broadband speakers family, with a vertical pair of 3' on 4 Ohms for each speakers. It has a very interesting external PSU, u can upgrade. I'd go with a 200VA on 16V Linear PSU. But already stunning with the 60 W switching PSU. It's rated 86 db, pretty OK for a small room : u have the level of a Jazz Club live session. It goes down to 40 Hz full power... with like a 3 liters enclosure. Professor PS Audio, I don't understand how it does that. I guess some internal equalization ? @ 31.5Hz I don't hear anything anymore, that said.

[@s197mustangfan]

Great guy Paul is! I've messed with well done Class D and some tubes in the mix. My ears like!

[@GoodVibesOnly1914]

I'm leaning toward this, considering 2 700w buckeye purify monoblocks and a schiit tube preamp, i care about bass and warmth while maybe taming the highs, whats your experience with tubes?

[@super-z8943]

I believe icepower 1200 modules are based on newer ice edge tech, 700 modules being older tech although both these modules were releases together after the ice edge campaign.

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

I believe you are correct.

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

I like Class D's (the fake ones) they hit my bench a lot, most of the TDAs got roasted. And Capacitor fatigue by the high frequency switching of the SMPS. About 400Khz or more.

[@dankrebs4764]

fake ones?

[@jdavis234]

Class D is great for those who like Sonos and Bose :)

[@henriksrensen5958]

My class d devialet amplifier is sold. Something about class d i can't live with. I have ordered the gryphon diablo 120 amplifier. I can't wait

[@giovanni6733]

hello Why so much power in the M1200? What is the purpose, knowing that there are almost no speakers that work at those watts? Thank you John

[@hushpuppykl]

I just got the XTZ Edge Class D ... I’ll say it sounds pretty close, in nature, to my Class AB that costs 12 times more. Class D has come a long way.

[@JC-lk3oy]

Yeah that edge uses ICE modules as well. They are truly incredible pieces of technology, especially for the money. Im still trying to find one of the new 1200w stereo modules to become available to us DIY guys. Right now they seem to only be available to OEM's. Granted I wouldn't be able to design a tube input stage like PS Audio did, which I'm sure makes those new M1200's sound glorious. Can't wait for this pandemic to calm down so I can drive over to PS Audio and give them a listen. I have a Sprout100 and absolutely love it for my Fluance RT85 turntable and Pioneer FS52's. Fantastic little budget system, still can't believe how many quality features they crammed into that little guy.

[@scottlowell493]

@@JC-lk3oy ICE and HYPEX amps are taking over. No sonic compromises vs $$$$ amps. Tons of power too.

[@doctorrobin3040]

Me too, I am so impressed.

[@hushpuppykl]

John Caldes ... just get a PS or Nordost 😬

[@hushpuppykl]

Fat Rat ... just a power amp. No balanced input. Can be set as a monoblock BUT not in bridge mode. So it’s a mono signal block with 2 sets of outputs. 😬

[@happygil4698]

trying to decide it going to the m700 from delta 250s are an upgrade or a sideways move. yes, I know what you're driving makes a difference, but I like to try different speakers too. opinions?

[@RPCTVPhilippines]

For MIDRANGE speaker for car audio? Class D will output loud?

[@RealHIFIHelp]

For me class-d sounds too polite and digital, whereas AB is more real and powerful. But I prefer class A on a top level because it feels like the handbrake is completely off compared to D and a bit to AB.

[@randomtube8226]

Same lol

[@reddenitup]

Polite? 🙄

[@judgegixxer]

I have an old Technics amp from 75' and 3 NAD class D amps from a couple years ago. Which I turn on to listen to depends on what kind of mood im in and what I want to listen to. (If it's a little cold in the room I'll use the Technics, may as well let the music help heat the house. lol)

[@erikquinn707]

Hi what NAD amps do you have? I'm interested in purchasing the NAD C388 and was wondering if you have this amp and how it sounds and if you like it if you're familiar with it. Thanks

[@judgegixxer]

​@@erikquinn707 I've had two C268's power amps each in bridged mode running their own speaker for awhile and just got a 3rd to run a sub (or 2) I use a C326BEE Integrated Class AB as preamp. They sound nice to me. Low distortion, tight, in control....but kind of sanitized almost too crisp. The Technics SU-8600 is just as punchy as the NADS are when they are in unbridged stereo mode but not as controlled. The dynamic range of the SU8600 is more and it seems brighter. The NADS can't dip as close to infrasound freqs as the old guy. I don't have a C388 or any pure digital sources to plug into it.

[@Cornz38]

Damn, i do wish sometimes we didn't "change" for the sake of it. Class A, AB and AA were perfect. And if a transistor failed it was easy to sort, try changing a new PWM chip!!

[@andreaderoma1033]

Do you think class D amplifiers are better than AB for low volume listening? Thank you!

[@CharlesSelva]

Hey Paul, what about using the M1200 modules, input signal with 12Au7, and 5687 driver tube with a different variant.

[@Hometheaterguyusa1]

D for subwoofers, AB, or Class A for high fidelity.

[@wilcalint]

I was wondering. A properly designed Class A/B amp the first 5 or 10 watts are really in Class A. That in that the output transistors are conducting so that the crossover ( transition between the output transistors ) distortion is kept low. If you compare the sound of a Class A/B vs a Class D, in Pauls mind, is it the fact that the A/B at very low levels is really running in Class A?

[@kirarittberg5088]

Yes, you are right that at low levels ab is usually class a. I have a triamped system with high efficiency speakers so my mids and highs are being run in class a with ab amps. Possibly my sub may dip into ab territory but without meters I don't know for sure.

[@elpechos]

For the first 10 watts to be in class A the amplifier would need to be drawing about 80 to 110W idle. Pretty awful

[@victorfeliciano6094]

wow paul , i have a big question if you are planning to buy a subwoofer let say like REL SUBWOOFER some of them used class D but also class AB in this case which one would you buy than?

[@TheNLHAZE]

Hi Paul as usual is the glass half full are half empty you remind me of my grandfather with Alzheimer's😂😂😂😢😢😢😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@moribnd]

Who makes an integrated receiver with class A/B amp, sub out, less high-end distortion and plenty of mid-range for electric guitar, vocals and saxophone? I don't know how to find or this search is not something I really want to undertake, period. The Cambridge Audio AXR100 has nice mids, but far too much distortion in the high end (no recording is perfect).

[@danielhillwick8430]

I have always preferred Class A/B Class D. Maybe someday class D will reach the wormth and the depth that i get out of class A/B.

[@reestyfarts]

Class D Red Dragon monoblocks in my main system. Effortless clear power.

[@wa2368]

Class D = cheap sourced parts, maximum profit for the amp manufacturer (especially the guys selling $$$$ priced class D amps, wink wink).

[@RaymondSolo]

How about with program vs instrument power? I’m still using older Crown AB amps for my Rock bands PA system. I found the newer class D amps just can’t cut it. I mean when it comes to balancing bass-drum with a cranked up Marshall JCM 800 guitar stack not to mention a screaming singer.and booming bass guitar and synth organ sounds. The AB just seems to be able to get the job done on the low/mid, low and sub frequencies.

[@user-xg6zz8qs3q]

What about the price point? You only seem to review the expensive stuff. There are many Class D amplifiers under 200€ like the Tangent Ampster BT 2. Are they any good? I got the class A/B Yamaha RN 402 instead (is that amp any good?), because it ended up cheaper in a bundle deal with the Klipsch RP 600M. And I feel clueless to be frank.

[@mortengammelgaard929]

Mega cool that you stay honest, and don`t Fall for pushing your current product to hard...

[@johnmcquay82]

I'm in the same camp as you Paul; comparing side-by-side, Class AB all day long. That said, when working live sound, weight is a consideration as a small production company like me. If I ran Class AB amplifiers in place of my class Ds, my amplifier rack would weigh over 300lbs. The one I tote around weighs less than 100lbs. I frequently get complimented on the sound at events I mix, so Class D really can't be that bad. Lots of people have this belief Class Ds have no bottom end; I use Class D's for the whole system, and the subs I have, hit as hard and go as low as they ever did before.

[@AhmedAddas]

For music class AB and movies class D

[@chuckmaddison2924]

I warned up an apple pie on my NAD. So AB does have advantages over D.

[@linandy1]

My old vintage AB amps sound meaty compared to D. Ive never heard an Ice edge amp yet. Sounds interesting.

[@Soulcommander]

I know this might not apply here but I have a Velodyne CT120 subwoofer. It recently stopped working. I would love to repair it but I'm at a loss of where to take it. I think the company doesn't even exist anymore. I just read it has a Class A/B Amplifier. I really do want to keep it but have found a Klipsch SPL 120 that seems to be close....But it has a class D Amp. Any suggestions? Help? Opinions? Thanks!

[@THESUBZILLA]

My main question is if they are distinguishable enough to tell them apart if you playing both class ab and d in the same sound stage? I have a large class ab for midbass and im deciding on running either low power class ab on my midrange horns and tweeters or proper power on the class d amp. I just don't want It be noticeable. Its car audio, skar audio skv2 1300.2 A/B for my midbass. And for the mids and highs its either the Skar audio skv2-200.4D or the skv2-100.4A/B

[@omgwtfpwnd]

YES IT’S DESIRED AND SELF POWERED SPEAKERS ARE THE WAY OF THR FUTURE.

[@digginglow]

You are the bob ross of car audio

[@milkman100001]

will there be an upgraded bhk some day?

[@CoolDudeClem]

I have a class T amp, combines the best of both! Edit because youtube no longer picks up my spelling errors and I didn't see that i'd spelled "combines" wrong untill now.

[@arkadiuszmikina4563]

What make and model?

[@elpechos]

Class "T" is just bullshit marketing for Tripath's class D implementation. Tripath went bankrupt ages ago and their tech is now owned by Texas Instruments anyhow.

[@brandonburr4900]

Still prefer my big 115 pound class ab amp with the first part of those watts driven in class a before switching. My preference would be a good higher powered class a. Nothing,like that liquid presentation, all sorts of details, music just emerges out of nowhere and that huge soundstage 😀

[@dandonna852]

class H vs. class D???

[@BC-fy1wn]

'In my room,in my room'you know who sang that right?

[@Fons53]

Beach Boys, greetz from Holland 😀

[@reddenitup]

??????

[@editorjuno]

The Benchmark AHB2 is neither Class AB nor Class D and it outperforms ICEdge, Purifi 1ET400A, and Hypex NCore for $3K. No "high end" gimmickry like tube or discrete component op-amp front end circuitry -- but there's no disputing its measurable superiority to anything near its price point.

[@ToadStool942]

In my experience a well-designed Class D amp easily reign superior over a well-designed Class A/B amp. Assuming both are allowed to use superior line conditioners. Superior line conditioning is IMO a requirement (not an accessory) for all components including amps. However, it's especially important for Class D because even though Class D amps are not digital, with their high-speed switching modules will induce a digital-like bi-directional noise. Bi-directional implying that the noise will go back up the AC and then into other components. For the same reason one should never buy a stereo Class D amp or int. amp where the L&R channels share the same AC inlet. In such cases this bi-directional digital-like noise is shared between channels. And it's far worse with integrated Class D amps because the line stage must borrow AC power from one of the channels which are already sharing this bi-directional noise between both channels and that noise is passed to the line stage and then amplified. Not so with Class D monoblock amps with superior bi-directional filtering line conditioners dedicated to each monoblock. In this config, well-designed Class D monoblock amps should be able to hold their own and then some against most any Class A/B amp. But only in this monoblock + superior line condtioners configuration.

[@matsudakodo]

Everything you're saying is true, and you can show the difference in crosstalk in measurements, but I doubt it's audible on good Class D designs, like those from Hypex or the latest ICEpower, or Purifi.

[@ToadStool942]

@@matsudakodo Thanks, Eric. My current monoblock Class D amps use ICEpower boards. Another Class D pair 10 years ago did not. Both behaved roughly the same when experimenting. with this bi-directional-digital-like noise The bi-directional-digital-like noise shared between L&R channels is definitely audible but not the end of the world. But any such audible noise is enough to remove Class D amps sharing same AC from being a contender with well-designed Class A/B amps that exhibit no such noise. On the other hand, a high-powered 600wpc Class D integrated amp sharing this noise between L&R channels and then the active gain stage borrowing power from one channel and noise from both channels where the signal is then amplified and well, I'd prefer to find another hobby as it was fairly intolerable.

[@johnsimun6533]

So you got a taste for the good drugs. Not saying that the class D is bad, they are excellent, but your taste is with the AB. Great video as always.

[@GrandConception]

Modern and new D all the way.

[@judgegixxer]

Ya but if all I ever knew about was the Lloyds one speaker AM clock radio, I'd probably be happy with that.

[@AlanGonzalez-ev6ur]

he did ask if you could tell the difference though.. Im guessing the answer is yes of course but you didnt really answer that

[@simonlai]

Well said Paul tks

[@chadbarker2316]

Yep. It's like ridin in your Tesla then jumping in my 69 Z28 and feeling that motor cammin and thumpin or ridin a Honda and riding an old Harley! Hahahahaha. You can add all the spices to grandma's recipe but it will never be as good as grandmas and u can take that to tha bank!

[@bruss529]

Okay but I feel a hybrid amp is a bit of a cop out on the answer. What about a fully digital amp? - Sprout is all digital isn't it?

[@thunderpooch]

It's all class d. But D isn't really "digital." The consensus by people more knowledgeable than me is that class d doesn't mean, digital. A few explain that there are aspects of class d amplifiers where one could accurately describe what the amp does to the signal as "digital," but it's not entirely accurate. Hope that helps a smidge.

[@reddenitup]

I have a class D and a class H. IMPERCEPTIBLE difference in fidelity…My H is much more powerful (and MUCH heavier) but just simply listening to the sound quality at low volume, can’t tell a difference….

[@First-Last-108]

Would love to see a PS product with the Purifi amplifier modules

[@bernardogolub2206]

Any experience with Purifi? Thanks.

[@josepeixoto3715]

Man...i don't understand one effing bit of all these comments!!!! I have the +-75 volt power supply,10 amps,thinking of buying an el chepo 500 watt D module... Question...is a clss D amp,say 200 rms , as good,better or worse than a classical amp ? (ab,or whatever you call it, i have a bridged 200 w Rotel, for 25 years, with added heat sinks, driving 15 inchers, 4 ohms love it, almost like being there).

[@capitanvonchickenpants8492]

I have a BOSS katana with an AB power amp it's so loud for solid state

[@TurboJohn74]

what has been a quality class D option on the mobile audio side? Used to be Blade amps back in the day, but they are now collector items and priced out

[@SumitSingh-pp3ck]

Reality experience is in class A amplifier

[@f430ferrari5]

But if you have to pay so much for it the experience isn’t necessarily pleasant. I often eat good steak but when I get the bill sometimes I change my evaluation of that steak. When it’s free meaning somebody else paid I noticed that’s when it tasted the best. 😂🤣

[@jeremyhughes6485]

Class A is still the best (but not great value). Class AB is useful and practical as more power is required for the bass. Class D is only ready for subwoofers or PA currently. My Two cents. The clear advantage is that Class A will remain high performance for a lot longer life time of the device. AB and D need to be carefully calibrated to deliver the beef!

[@omgwtfpwnd]

Thank you armchair expert. Now that you’ve made yourself a fool, you can go back to reviewing cigars and wine.

[@ericmc6482]

Hello Paul. Imo class d does some things right that other classes never will. Running single supply is one fundamental thing that is important to their good sound.

[@marianneoelund2940]

The class D amps that I've been servicing (Behringer) have dual supply rails.

[@HareDeLune]

If yer gonna 'stay safe in yer little room', then Paul is good company to have. : )

[@mehrdadheydari7842]

i keep asking myself what pandemic they are talking about?

[@JasonLeaman]

What is your Fav when you compare Class A to A/B ?

[@joelowens5211]

Putting an audio system together again. It's been many years. Back in the day had a Threshold class A monster. Put off a lot of heat but the sound was amazing. Had Klipsch corner flagship speakers it powered and mcintosh center channel amp for Klipsch flagship center channel. Definitive speakers for the surround sound and M & K sub with Lexicon processor and Threshold Fet 9 E preamp. Remember Pioneer laser disc where it was a thing?...lol How do your amps compare to say Threshold? I like Klipsch speakers but the horns are just too harsh for me on the high end. I prefer electrostatics. Looking at Martin Logan. The definitive speakers sound great technically but I find speakers that are too technical to be cold and sterile sounding. I like sound with soul and feeling but in a good way. I have heard Marantz amps are warm and musical quality but have not heard in person. I like more A to A/B amps. Have an 8 by 10 foot room in my office building where I envision Martin Logan speakers and placed for sweet spot with my leather chair, pre-amp, separate powered sub, and individual 2 channel amp in stereo mode. Mainly for CD and music listening no movies. Thoughts?

[@thunderpooch]

I use a 800,000 watt class d amp with a tube input stage. Sorry, but your 1,200 watt amp has nothing on mine. My *LINEARITY* is unparalleled. I'm not an idiot. I take precautions. There's a big sign on the volume knob: "Don't turn pass 1/12th of the way!!! Neighborhood fire could occur!" The sound is amazing, but I don't dare get too close to the unit. It arcs if you're within 6 inches. I've had to use a defibrillator to revive my dog, twice!

[@chrisvinicombe9947]

Hahahahaha perfect

[@marianneoelund2940]

That was very entertaining. Thank you for the comic relief. But I think you should put "Turning the volume up to 1/4" on your bucket list.

[@thunderpooch]

@@marianneoelund2940 can't do it. That would be close to 800 watts. Not much compared to 800,000 but it would blow my speakers. Lol, 1/12th is all I can safely do or my ears can tolerate. Spl and volume knobs are based on a logarithmic base of 2, as far as I know. Halfway would be 12,500 watts, and I'd tip my cap to anyone who could achieve that without blowing their speakers or blowing out their windows.

[@thunderpooch]

@Fat Rat That's like your opinion, man. I'm also a very stable genius. I know words. I'm like smart. I have some of the best words. Someday, I think I'll run for a political office. Do you think I have a chance? Before you scoff, I do live in a very peculiar place where it might work.

[@thunderpooch]

@Fat Rat Those are all Trump quotes. "I'm a stable genius." "I'm like a smart person." "I know words." "I have some of the best words." Trump is revealing to the world that we're the richest third world nation. We no longer watch stock indexes. We watch the coronavirus death count. We're approaching 90,000! USA USA USA!!!

[@leonarddaneman810]

So, actually $6000 for a pair of monoblocks with 600 RMS per channel? And, you need the PS Audio hybrid preamp . . .

[@Gabriel-of-YouTube]

D, no doubt (not the band)

[@dandonna852]

class H?

[@salventuri2050]

Paul....Does using a disposable or reusable douche make a difference? I'll sit back and wait for your reply.

[@SuperFredAZ]

Would you comment on SET (Single Ended Triode) vacuum tube amplifiers. It seems to be a cult for low power and kind of high distortion, I don't get it.

[@johnlebeau5471]

Single ended triodes are, by necessity, Class A. The circuit designs are very simple. Class A is by far the best sounding amplifier topology. If it weren't for the limitations of Class A, primarily low power and low efficiency making them run hot, all amps would be Class A. All preamps are Class A. S.E.T.s have no phase splitter, no crossover distortion and only one amplification device. It is the lone amplification device that makes them low power. They produce distortion primarily in the 2nd order and other even harmonics. Distortion rises with power output, so the more sensitive your speakers, the less distortion they produce, true for most amps. The 2nd harmonic is one octave above the primary frequency, thus it sounds pleasant. Listen to a 12 string guitar, the second strings are tuned at an octave and they sound full and beautiful. My amps use the 45 tube (I heard someone call the 45 the Stradivarius of tubes), they are two watts per channel, and yes, 99% of the speakers out there need not apply. I built my own. When paired with the right speakers, they produce they most lifelike and beautiful sounds I have ever heard through electronic reproduction. That is why they are worth the trouble.

[@HareDeLune]

@@johnlebeau5471 Thank you for that wonderful information. There is one solid state integrated amp that I have heard about, which reviewers have said sounded much like a S.E.T. amplifier: The Densen DM10 Integrated Amp. If I remember correctly, they were made in Denmark. They were discontinued years ago, because they were too expensive for the manufacturer to make. They originally sold for $2,500.00 and are now collector's items. I am hoping that one day, I can have one, but I doubt it will happen.

[@johnlebeau5471]

@@HareDeLune If you can use a soldering iron, or have the inclination to learn check this out: diyaudiostore.com/collections/amp-camp-amp Single ended transistor, yes that is possible, about 8 watts per channel and has most of the attributes of a single ended triode, since that is essentially what a transistor is. It looks professionally made when it is finished. I run one of these alongside two S.E.T.s, it powers my "inefficient" (93db/w/m) ribbon tweeters. My other drivers are 105 for the bass and 115 for my midrange horn. The amps are sold out right now, being quite popular, but DIY Audio will email you when they come in if you ask them to. $327 plus shipping, which was kind of expensive if I recall, the chassis come from Italy.

[@HareDeLune]

@@johnlebeau5471 Thanks! I have been getting more interested in the DIY audio scene. I've been thinking about checking out the amp kits that Nelson Pass sells. I will give this one a look, too. : D Edit: Wait, doesn't Nelson Pass run Amp Camp?! Edit 2: Yep! There you go. Two birds with one weblink. XD

[@SuperFredAZ]

@G Guest Thanks, I built one in 1964, it was maybe 4 watts, mine didn't sound great, but I don't think I had the right speakers. It's hard for me to believe the praise after all these years.

[@johnsweda2999]

What about class H, that's the best not many people talk about it better than D better than AB

[@leekumiega6576]

Yes I believe that's what Bob Carver uses in his Sunfire amplifiers they use the unventilated case for the heatsink and they get just a little warm. They are as efficient as class D but sound better. His signature amplifier can put 1200 watts RMS into 2 ohms. He has a 2800 watt RMS subwoofer that is 11 inches cubed and moves as much air as three 15 inch subs ,He came up with his Tracking Down Converter power supply that tracks the input signal to vary the rail voltage over 20 years ago.

[@leekumiega6576]

@blackened 1 You are correct the difference is the power supply.

[@allansh828]

Why there's no class C amp?

[@NeilDSouza7]

It is like why there is no iPhone 9 - That is because 7 8(ate) 9 - Get it

[@ericmc6482]

Class C is used for AM radio transmitters.

[@marianneoelund2940]

Class C exists. It isn't used for audio due to the high distortion, but has many radio applications since it can work very well with resonant (tuned) narrowband circuits.

[@NeilDSouza7]

@Fat Rat Yeah not so much in School and College though was too serious.. but definitely grew a comic at work in the Studio and all the other 9 places I work in... LOL

[@NeilDSouza7]

@Fat Rat Hehehehehehe You know Paul deleted my post on Schiit Audio... once.. I had too many schiity references to Schiit. I guess he thought my Schiit stinks..

[@brandontaylor693]

Would a 1100 4channel class ab amp push two 12s

[@nickgoogle4525]

always when I try to look into a video I think it's mostly "blabla" -- the same today...

[@johndyson4109]

CLASS H! forget the rest they look swell are light and some are hot but all made by MATTEL.. CLASS H!

[@olaniyi570]

A B all day. Dont like the D sound

[@frankfarago2825]

Neither. Class H for me.

[@AspartameBoy]

No

[@MichaelDespairs]

Class D sounds terrible. In audio with complicated harmonic content I can hear tons of distortion. Distorted electric guitar sounds like an additional distortion pedal is on. It's more efficient to eat seaweed instead of steak but no thanks.

[@yagneshpatel1183]

new class d is true hifi . future of class d is good .

[@edwardbalboa5528]

Class a only .. class d is nasty

[@SgtHenick]

When you combine how far the sound quality has come with the cost-effectiveness of modern class D amplifiers, I'll just say it this way... Extremely high end audio manufacturers maybe starting to shake in their boots

[@kirarittberg5088]

My first class d amp was very affordable, but did not surpass my AB amp. It would appear that the newer high end class d is approaching the same price as AB. It would also seem that adding tubes to class d is done for a reason, notably a smoother sound. So if tubes are needed (adding to the price) then a lot of people will stay with class AB, otherwise maybe just buy a tube amp. I am liking the choices we now have.

[@leekumiega6576]

@@kirarittberg5088 Check out Bob Carvers tube amp with a 50 year life on the tubes www.bobcarvercorp.com/crimson-raven

[@kirarittberg5088]

lee kumiega Yes, that looks like a beautiful amp. It is another piece of equipment I will never own, because I also checked out the price. I don't think I will ever pay $10k us for any piece of gear, unless my personal wealth changes drastically. Another issue is warranty, shipping a 40 lb. amp in for service is not cheap either, but if I had the money it may not be an issue. My Bryston solid state amps are from the 80's and still working great and the SAE amp I bought in 1975 (sold to my brother) is still working fine so I believe they could last 50 years. I have tube guitar amps and the expense of tubes is not so much that they wear out, it is that it is very hard to restrain yourself from buying those exotic tubes that hold the promise of better performance. I have never known a tube amp guy (tube junkie) who did not have several boxes of tubes in storage.

[@kirarittberg5088]

Fat Rat Vintage loudspeakers is a very broad description and encompasses many cabinet and driver designs, magnet types, many types of cone material, ribbon type speakers, electrostatic speakers.....I am also not sure what differentiates modern speakers from their vintage counterparts other than age. Many are fundamentally no different from vintage models. So I guess I do not know what you mean, as I really cannot discern between them based on design, other than alnico has gotten rare and neodymium is now more prevalent.

[@rking3724]

Class D sucks.

[@JH-ty3ic]

To my ears, analogue suits A or AB but class D seems to suit the digital of streaming. Your kits "the dogs bo**ocks" you always get what you pay for.

[@MaximusOpus]

I will save you 5;35 minutes of your life ... The ANSWER is AB all the way ... Silly Question

[@AccuphaseMan]

Imagine charging that much for modules you outsource. PS audio is PS Lazy. What happened to the days where manufacturers put effort into discrete components and entire boards they designed.

[@yaniv-nos-tubes]

DRUHERTZSZ.