Should Class D designs cost less than comparable other designs?

[dallasjustice]

I wouldn't sit on a picket fence waiting for that to happen either.

Not sexy enough for you?

 

[DonH50]

A lot of class D amps are lightweight, relatively inexpensive modules designed for car audio, subwoofers, portable, and other "non-audiophile" applications. Most class A amplifiers are big, heavy beasts at the top of the line and cost accordingly. From a design perspective, at least from mine, really good class D amps are a lot harder to realize than a class A design, but perception is everything.

 

[MtnHam]

The best still seem to be the traditional designs. Yes, class D can deliver impressive performance, particularly for it's size and what often is a much cheaper price. It should be cheaper for the reasons already articulated by others. But, until convinced otherwise, I still believe there must be some compromise. And thus, if I want the best, it's probably not going to be class D.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Didn't we already have this discussion in reference to the Merrill Audio Class D amplifiers, choice of modules and cost? Deja vu all over again.

 

[Whatmore]

A lot of class D amps are lightweight, relatively inexpensive modules designed for car audio, subwoofers, portable, and other "non-audiophile" applications. Most class A amplifiers are big, heavy beasts at the top of the line and cost accordingly. From a design perspective, at least from mine, really good class D amps are a lot harder to realize than a class A design, but perception is everything.

Big heavy beasts of amps are necessary for audiophile ego stroking.
Class D amps don't compensate for our "deficiencies" in quite the same way so, yes they should cost less........

 

[Audioseduction]

It is what it is!

 

[dallasjustice]

I forgot about Bel Canto Black. It's class D and it's total price retails for $50,000 which includes the digital frontend. Just to add the amps to the digital bumps the price from $20,000 to $50,000, as I understand it.

 

[mep]

Not sexy enough for you?
View attachment 15950

Uh, no. It looks like a computer motherboard sitting on top of some soup cans.

 

[Whatmore]

Uh, no. It looks like a computer motherboard sitting on top of some soup cans.

 

[Joel]

Almost we can assume class D amps will cost less in terms of electricity consumption... When I compare the smaller integrated amp made by SPEC Corp. to my Luxman power amps plus tube preamp, there is no doubts...
And in terms of pure performance, I am concerned about the Luxman pricing. I honestly think there is an opposite relationship between higher power efficiency and cost...

 

[KeithR]

I wouldn't sit on a picket fence waiting for that to happen either.

They've been saying it for 10 years...we're still waiting. I've also read vinyl and tubes are going by the wayside

 

[KeithR]

Mep said it right on the Merrill thread- they use all the audiophile buzz words and "parts" to justify the price.

I heard the Mola Molas this weekend- still suck to these ears. 18k or 5k, wouldn't matter.

 

[defride]

I read an interview with Bruno Putzeys (Mola Mola/Hypex) some time ago where he described the different advantages and disadvantages of building in class a/tubes/class d. As regards Class D he commented that it was very simple to produce a reasonably good sounding amplifier using off the shelf kits. To take Class D to the next level is in his opinion complicated and expensive.

 

[JackD201]

Unfortunately, the next level is where most of us have our eyes set.

 

[Audioseduction]

Fortunately, we’re at the next level with our class A amps.

 

[dallasjustice]

Fortunately, we’re at the next level with our class A amps.

Not IME. Class D can now be the next level.