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CES Hands On - Samsung HW-Q990F review
Dom
Well-known member
insider9
Well-known member
stereoman
Well-known member
Class D amps are the best - this is the future of modern amps. They sound much more dynamic , airy and fast. I love them.
abacus
Well-known member
robdmarsh
Well-known member
Oh really? Well, this will raise a few heckles!
This post talks about humbler pieces of equipment than those mentioned above but I think what I'm hearing is still valid.
I have a Marantz mcr603 which has class D amplification and which has performed brilliantly for the 5 years that I've had it. The sound with my Yamaha wxc-50 and Elac debut b5 speakers is unfatiguing and engaging, not the last word in detail, but amazingly good considering the price. At the Bristol show I heard the Audiolab 6000A and got bitten by the upgrade bug and I recently picked a newish one up for much less than rrp.
As I totalled my computer last week (an errant cup of tea!) I've been restricted to listening via aptx bluetooth using Amazon music HD on my phone. Before people say that listening like that is not using the amp to its full potential, well yes obviously, but I reckon the quality is equal to if not better than 320kbps from my computer over wifi - bluetooth has come a long way. Anyway, what am I finding? Well the Audiolab is digging out more detail and the sound is bigger but the higher frequencies on the Marantz/ Yamaha combo just sound sweeter and more natural. There is a strained quality to the upper mids on the Audiolab, most noticeable with female vocals and brass instruments. This surprises me given that the Audiolab has more power.
A word about imaging and sound stage, this is where my set up really might be compromising the Audiolab. My room is such that the speakers have to be placed quite far apart, about 3.5 metres, and quite close to a wall (about 10 inches) so getting a good soundstage that the 6000A is famous for is not really possible. The other acoustics of the room are pretty good - quite high ceilings, not too many reflective or hard surfaces, wooden floor with soft furnishings etc.
Anyway, what's my take away from this so far? Well, I think class D amplification is far from being the "devil of audiophilia" and matched well with other components can sound pretty good. Obviously, the real test will come when I get my computer back and can stream over wifi. It could be that the Audiolab is exposing the shortcomings of my Elac speakers in the higher frequencies, they are renowned for being a bit lacking in treble, but I have always liked their sound signature.
This post talks about humbler pieces of equipment than those mentioned above but I think what I'm hearing is still valid.
I have a Marantz mcr603 which has class D amplification and which has performed brilliantly for the 5 years that I've had it. The sound with my Yamaha wxc-50 and Elac debut b5 speakers is unfatiguing and engaging, not the last word in detail, but amazingly good considering the price. At the Bristol show I heard the Audiolab 6000A and got bitten by the upgrade bug and I recently picked a newish one up for much less than rrp.
As I totalled my computer last week (an errant cup of tea!) I've been restricted to listening via aptx bluetooth using Amazon music HD on my phone. Before people say that listening like that is not using the amp to its full potential, well yes obviously, but I reckon the quality is equal to if not better than 320kbps from my computer over wifi - bluetooth has come a long way. Anyway, what am I finding? Well the Audiolab is digging out more detail and the sound is bigger but the higher frequencies on the Marantz/ Yamaha combo just sound sweeter and more natural. There is a strained quality to the upper mids on the Audiolab, most noticeable with female vocals and brass instruments. This surprises me given that the Audiolab has more power.
A word about imaging and sound stage, this is where my set up really might be compromising the Audiolab. My room is such that the speakers have to be placed quite far apart, about 3.5 metres, and quite close to a wall (about 10 inches) so getting a good soundstage that the 6000A is famous for is not really possible. The other acoustics of the room are pretty good - quite high ceilings, not too many reflective or hard surfaces, wooden floor with soft furnishings etc.
Anyway, what's my take away from this so far? Well, I think class D amplification is far from being the "devil of audiophilia" and matched well with other components can sound pretty good. Obviously, the real test will come when I get my computer back and can stream over wifi. It could be that the Audiolab is exposing the shortcomings of my Elac speakers in the higher frequencies, they are renowned for being a bit lacking in treble, but I have always liked their sound signature.
gasolin
Well-known member
Thomas & Stereo on youtube has many different amps including a bel canto class d amp, sometimes it sounds good with a certain pair of speaker and sometimes it's an AB amp that sounds best with a different pair of speakers
What sounds best is a matter of synergy, system matching
www.youtube.com
What sounds best is a matter of synergy, system matching
Thomas & Stereo
I started this channel with the dream of making millions and a few online friends. Although I have yet to make my first million, I am proud to have created a...
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Esra
Well-known member
If audio gear measures good chances are high it will sound good too.
Much easier than to match gear in order to compensate flaws and shortcomings of each other.
Audio gear is not rocket science these days and in year 2020 there is no need to spend an arm and leg to achieve neutral sounding,well designed and transparent audio gear,the basis for the word hifi.Combine with speakers which work in your place ,done from a technically side of view.
Much easier than to match gear in order to compensate flaws and shortcomings of each other.Audio gear is not rocket science these days and in year 2020 there is no need to spend an arm and leg to achieve neutral sounding,well designed and transparent audio gear,the basis for the word hifi.Combine with speakers which work in your place ,done from a technically side of view.
Dom
Well-known member
robdmarsh
Well-known member
This is definitely what I have experienced.
This is what I imagine quite a lot of the people I see at shows like Bristol will do! ...but maybe you were joking when you said this
Dom
Well-known member
stereoman
Well-known member
No, I'm totally serious. To me only class A/B amps with so to speak MOSFETS can give you some subtle tingles ( some Denon amps or Accuphase being the best exampe ) but in general only class D amps give you the best dynamic range with great timing.
Dom
Well-known member
I had a Denon amp. Bought it for £80 2nd hand, sounded beautiful. Then a mate bought it off me for £50 and I bought a NAD amp that was £90, and it wasn't as good. Oh, those were the days. .
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Dom
Well-known member
MUSICRAFT
Well-known member
I had the misfortune of owning an NAD 375 BEE integrated. It crapped out after 6 months. A second brand new one crapped out after a whole 9 months. The front boards in them burn out every few months. Total crap!Spanky NAD is not crap.
NAD = Not Another Defect...
Al ears
Well-known member
You are indeed unfortunate. Why did you buy a brand new one after your second-hand one failed? Obviously a learning curve issue.
Romulus
Well-known member
I would not take anything seriously as to Spanky Wanky posts. He is just a wind up merchant and takes great delight when others react to his posts, he or she likes to upset and offend others, that's the only purpose. Its all just childish behaviour where most of us left behind in second year in school.
insider9
Well-known member
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