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Class D
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Joined: 07 Aug 2020
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    Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 2:03am
Good evening and kind wishes to all.
I write as owner of a cherished Accession MM, driving my (other brand) power amplifier, which has recently expired.
On the point of purchasing Proprius amplifiers to replace it, I am distracted by a great deal of noise and claims about 'evolved' Class D amplifiers, e.g. 'GanFet', e.g. 'NCx500 modules'.
Based in the view that great amplifiers occur through a synergy of technological developments and skilful application (design and engineering) my question is, has GSD any interest in or plans to produce a Class D amplifier?
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Fatmangolf View Drop Down
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I've not heard anything about HFC developing a class D amp but I do have a pair of Proprius amps I enjoy. They are powered by efficient switched mode supplies, have low power consumption and run cool in standby if that helps.
Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Points: 76 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Help with bass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar 2025 at 7:49pm
Many thanks for your reply Fatmangolf.
I do expect my ampli journey is moving inexorably towards the Proprius amps. My ideal scenario post-record player is to be 'fully Slee'd''.
It's just that it's a bit of money to lay out and that's why I'm hesitating when there's allegedly, apparently cheaper 'alternatives'  on offer.
Best,
D
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Ash View Drop Down
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If you want to try a Class D stereo speaker amplifier, I suggest the Nobsound NS-01G. It costs less than £30 with power supply on Ebay from Douk Audio. I made a pair of speakers in cardboard boxes for my girlfriend. I covered them in white bed sheets and put in Markaudio CHR-90 drivers, powered from this handheld amp using primarily the Bluetooth input. The sound quality is surprisingly good and we both love them. Not bad for less than £200 altogether. However, they are no Proprius. Proprius are Class AB and are monoblocks. If I totally Slee'd her speakers, the performance jump would be significant.

Edited by Ash - 23 Mar 2025 at 8:43pm
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Points: 76 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Help with bass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar 2025 at 8:02am
Thank you Ash for your helpful and informative reply. 
In fact my previous amplifier was a Class AB design and I was very happy with the sound. Unfortunately it failed despite having undergone an expensive repair five years ago, and so I had to let it go. 
It's remarkable that you can put together a decent sounding system for such a modest outlay. I gather that, while Class D technology has been around for some decades, it has only more recently been developed and fully embraced in the 'audiophile' world.
It is for that reason that I came to wonder what potential there would be if the same ingenuity that produced the patented technology in the Accession phono amp was applied to a Class D design power amplifier.  When funds allow, I will indeed go ahead and invest in the Proprius amps, as I expect that will be the complete antidote to my questioning 'what if..?' :)
Thanks again,
D.
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Majestic DAC into a pair of Proprius monoblocks is the reference point for me. Enigma PSU1 and Lautus/Spatia cabling will provide some further improvements. My speaker driver choice would be Markaudio CHR-90 or CHP-90. These drivers scale well with the driving electronics and are exceptional value. They make exotic headphones look extremely poor value for money.  Just have to put them in boxes.

Class D amps have good power efficiency so generate less heat and can have very compact form factors, but they generate a lot of electrical switching noise that can compromise the fidelity of the output signal. 

Class A amps have poor power efficiency so are wasteful of energy, generating a lot of heat and causing the components to run hot, diminishing their usable lifespan and resulting in inconsistent performance. The power availability means lots of voltage swing though and less noise than Class D.

Class AB seems to balance the strengths and drawbacks of the different amp types.
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I think lowering power consumption is a big factor in the class D designs. Good for your electricity bills and good for the environment. Unless you live in a huge house my opinion is a smaller hifi amp with less watts may be plenty and cheaper to run. 
Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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