My thought would be Class-D amps have always been shunned by the audiophile community. A reviewer would never want his credibility questioned, thus always using "audiophile approved" references.
You could say this about receivers as well. I think I know 1 or 2 reviewers that use a receiver!
My thought would be Class-D amps have always been shunned by the audiophile community. A reviewer would never want his credibility questioned, thus always using "audiophile approved" references.
You could say this about receivers as well. I think I know 1 or 2 reviewers that use a receiver!
I believe our esteemed music in the round reviewer and WBF forum member Kal R. uses Bel Canto Ref 1000 MKII as his reference amps for review of surround sound gear. Not to say he believes these are the best amps money can buy, but certainly good enough to assess quality of some mighty upstream (and occasionally downstream) components.
I believe our esteemed music in the round reviewer and WBF forum member Kal R. used Bel Canto Ref 1000 MKII as his reference amps in the past. Not to say he believes these are the best amps money can buy, but certainly good enough to assess quality of some mighty upstream (and occasionally downstream) components.
You haven't noticed that audiophiles, and especially their editorial leaders, tend to be change averse? I'm a bit surprised none of these "reference system" contain cassette decks.
If a product is state of the art and pleases the reviewer preferences he will support it. For example, Hifi News Paul Miller uses a Devialet daily and in his high-end reviews.
Well, I'm not a reviewer but as a manufacturer, a Hybrid Class D amp is part of the rotation of amps, both tube and solid state, used in our system used to test and evaluate various products. I recently got rid of my long time solid state reference in favor of Class D. Class D done right can be a very viable component and have its place in today's world of high end audio.
I do also have an analog cassette deck. I wouldn't call it a reference but I do still enjoy listening to tapes. I have always been a vinyl fanatic but after loosing all my vinyl in the flood, I decided to call it quits.
Because their boss at the Magazine won't let them as it impacts their income from their paying manufactures of class A or B or A/B amps. Who knows heck I still have a Otari MX5050 mkIII 1/2" 8-track tape deck
Because their boss at the Magazine won't let them as it impacts their income from their paying manufactures of class A or B or A/B amps. Who knows heck I still have a Otari MX5050 mkIII 1/2" 8-track tape deck
That is simply not true, for Stereophile, on two levels. First, no constraint is placed on the reviewer's recommendations or aquisitions. Second, Bel Canto and Anthem are, I believe, advertisers although have no knowledge (or interest) in the statistics of who advertises more.
Well, I'm not a reviewer but as a manufacturer, a Hybrid Class D amp is part of the rotation of amps, both tube and solid state, used in our system used to test and evaluate various products. I recently got rid of my long time solid state reference in favor of Class D. Class D done right can be a very viable component and have its place in today's world of high end audio.
I do also have an analog cassette deck. I wouldn't call it a reference but I do still enjoy listening to tapes. I have always been a vinyl fanatic but after loosing all my vinyl in the flood, I decided to call it quits.
Bill, my condolences on the loss off your vinyl. It probably wasn't the most important item you lost during that horrible flood but I'm sure it was crushing none the less.
Bill, my condolences on the loss off your vinyl. It probably wasn't the most important item you lost during that horrible flood but I'm sure it was crushing none the less.
Believe it or not, it was the vinyl that hurt the most (not financially). Everything else is replaceable but included in the vinyl that was lost was probably 200 pieces of the most prize possessions from my collection.
That is simply not true, for Stereophile, on two levels. First, no constraint is placed on the reviewer's recommendations or aquisitions. Second, Bel Canto and Anthem are, I believe, advertisers although have no knowledge (or interest) in the statistics of who advertises more.
Kal is absolutely correct. Those accusations are horsebleep and verge on paranoia. Equipment gets reviewed by either manufacturers submitting the gear to a magazine or a reviewer requesting a piece for review.
Plus did you ever consider that the manufacturer has no interest in a review? Or that they're selling as many units as they produce and can't spare a unit. Usually there's a reason, not a conspiracy.
Until recently, Class D amplification did not produce a midrange and treble response anywhere equal to the best Class A and A/B designs and some of that stigma still lingers, even though the current incarnation of Class D Amps have rivaled if not exceeded the other amplifier classes at their price point or higher. Although there will always be proponents of Class A and A/AB amplification and that is fine, I think that Class D amplifiers are still in their infancy as audiophile products and there are great improvements still to come.
An example of this prejudice was recently demonstrated to me by a manufacturer's rep, who shall remain nameless. He parroted the usual conventional wisdom about the sound of Class D amplification without ever having heard the amplifiers in question himself. Luckily, there are some brave companies out there producing great Class D amplifiers at all price points and this technology will win more converts with the passing of time and improvements to the technology.
I am currently using both Hypex and ICE amps (four mono blocks with the ICE amps driving the woofers) in what is a fairly decent system and retired my Threshold Class A amplifier. In short, I am enjoying substantially more power to drive my speakers at a far lower cost than commensurate Class A equipment, and with a much lower energy bill. The music has never sounded better to my ear and am grateful that this design has matured past car stereos and subwoofers.
kal is absolutely correct. Those accusations are horsebleep and verge on paranoia. Equipment gets reviewed by either manufacturers submitting the gear to a magazine or a reviewer requesting a piece for review.
Plus did you ever consider that the manufacturer has no interest in a review? Or that they're selling as many units as they produce and can't spare a unit. Usually there's a reason, not a conspiracy.
