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Topic: Digital Amplifiers (Read 15049 times) previous topic - next topic
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Digital Amplifiers

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Myrtone on
I wonder how the history of electronic amplifers would have tunred out if this had been developed in the days of valves (which Class A was almost universal).

In high fidelity tube (valve) amplifiers the final stage was almost always push-pull, which lends itself very nicely to class AB.

Digital Amplifiers

Reply #26 –
Quote from: atici on
I wonder how digital amplfiers compare to high end amplifiers. Does anyone on this board have some experience?

Does this direction represent the highest end / future in amplification technology?

The early commercial "digital" amplifiers were generally used for their high power and efficiencies in a small package. Good for powered subs and cheap multichannel receivers. The amplifiers for 20-20kHz operation were not usually audibly neutral in the manner of conventional solid state amplifier but this deviation could sound "nice" to audiophiles in the manner of valve amplifiers. Today the knowledge and circuitry has improved so that the better examples can now sound neutral in the same way as a conventional solid state amplifier but with better efficiencies. Some active studio monitors have now switched to using "digital" amplifiers.

I do not know if the Yamaha cited is an example of an accurate amplifier or a "nice" audiophile amplifier.

Digital Amplifiers

Reply #27 –
Quote from: pdq on
In high fidelity tube (valve) amplifiers the final stage was almost always push-pull, which lends itself very nicely to class AB.


I thought nearly all valve amps from that era were Class A.
 

Digital Amplifiers

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Myrtone on
snip

Ever heard of sustained plateau bias? Developed by Krell as a way of inproving the efficiancy of Class A, where the bias is adjusted according to the amplitude of the sound, as to allow full Class A operation but cut power consumption at lower levels, I wonder how this is done, do they use a regulating transformer of some sort? I wonder how the history of electronic amplifers would have tunred out if this had been developed in the days of valves (which Class A was almost universal).

snip


Well, if we are wondering how Krell employ a certain technique to increase efficiency yet keep it running in Class A mode, that would be proprietary technology. And would very much be kept a trade secret. Without specialist knowledge, our guesswork is only speculative at best.
Life is short, delaying enjoyment is pointless.

Digital Amplifiers

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Myrtone on
snip

I thought nearly all valve amps from that era were Class A.


Not all. It depends on what type of valves were used. For push-pull type operating in class AB mode, it is almost certainly pentodes like the EL34s or tetrodes like the 6550 or KT88. Typically in the 40W to 50W per channel. For class A and SET designs, triodes seem to rule. Very low power. 15W and less but ultra-linear. These will struggle to drive modern hard to drive speakers like B&W. About the most efficient speakers of note today that will sing with 10W or less are made by Living Voice of UK.
Life is short, delaying enjoyment is pointless.

Digital Amplifiers

Reply #30 –
Quote from: beyondipod on
Not all. It depends on what type of valves were used. For push-pull type operating in class AB mode, it is almost certainly pentrodes like the EL34s or tetrodes like the 6550 or KT88. Typically in the 40W to 50W per channel. For class A and SET designs, triodes seem to rule. Very low power. 15W and less but ultra-linear. These will struggle to drive modern hard to drive speakers like B&W. About the most efficient speakers of note today that will sing with 10W or less are made by Living Voice of UK.


I didn't quite realise this, I do now, I wonder now how the history of amplification had turned out if rail switching had been available at the time, okay then.

Quote
Well, if we are wondering how Krell employ a certain technique to increase efficiency yet keep it running in Class A mode, that would be proprietary technology. And would very much be kept a trade secret. Without specialist knowledge, our guesswork is only speculative at best.


Just because it is proprietary doesn't mean it is a trade secret, maybe they should license it out and we'll see.