Digital amplifiers

[rob1963]

I just saw an advert for a "digital amplifier"

I assume these use some kind of special or new technology, as it had an output of 1,000 watts per channel at 8 ohms (yes - 8 ohms)...

...bit it was only 1 unit (44mm) high & only weighed 9.5 kg! :eek:

Can anyone enlighten me as to what they're all about & if they're any good?

:shrug:

[Vectis]

Although biased and American this (http://www.psaudio.com/articles/sdat.asp) is a good article on the subject.

My subs have class-D's in them (not to be confused with Class-D's :rolleyes: )

As for "are they any good" well my subs sound nice and bassy! Never heard one driving tops so can't comment.

[Paul James Promotions]

If you think that's good, check this one out at 9k per channel at 2 ohms....

http://pro-audio.powersoft.it/product_list.php?id_menu=271&obj=121

Jamie

[spin mobile disco]

My sub uses a class H amp although have no idea what that is other than its pretty good for bass.

[rob1963]

Although biased and American this (http://www.psaudio.com/articles/sdat.asp) is a good article on the subject.

My subs have class-D's in them (not to be confused with Class-D's :rolleyes: )

As for "are they any good" well my subs sound nice and bassy! Never heard one driving tops so can't comment.

Thanks for the link, vectis.

An interesting article.


If you think that's good, check this one out at 9k per channel at 2 ohms....

http://pro-audio.powersoft.it/product_list.php?id_menu=271&obj=121

Jamie

:eek: :eek: :eek:


I am liking these amps more & more.

Partly because of their massive output in relation to their small size & low weight, and partly because they produce hardly any heat. I've heard that something like 80-90% of problems with normal amps are caused by heat, so these digital amps are obviously going to be loads more reliable.

Does anyone else have any experience or comments?

[Excalibur]

Thanks for the link, vectis.

An interesting article.



:eek: :eek: :eek:


I am liking these amps more & more.

Partly because of their massive output in relation to their small size & low weight, and partly because they produce hardly any heat. I've heard that something like 80-90% of problems with normal amps are caused by heat, so these digital amps are obviously going to be loads more reliable.

Does anyone else have any experience or comments?


I have no direct experience, simply that I seem to think I have seen some very adverse comments on them. From memory, it's a well respected forum member.:confused:

[Danno13]

I'm now using a Powersoft Q4002 - 4 channels, 2 run bridged into 4 ohm at 2000w for my subs and the other two in 8ohm givinig 400w to each top. Sounds fantastic and the weight saving is a godsend!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

And hasn't it just been for repair Dan?

[Danno13]

Yeah.. when I bought it, one of the channels had a crackle, it was about 3 years old though.

Cost £870 to buy, repair was £141, so still got a £2.5k amp for just over a grand :)

[Paul James Promotions]

Thanks for the link, vectis.

An interesting article.



:eek: :eek: :eek:


I am liking these amps more & more.

Partly because of their massive output in relation to their small size & low weight, and partly because they produce hardly any heat. I've heard that something like 80-90% of problems with normal amps are caused by heat, so these digital amps are obviously going to be loads more reliable.

Does anyone else have any experience or comments?

I have three Void switchmode amps, one 4 channel one that runs the smaller PA, and the other 2 running Mid and HF on the bigger system. I tend to find that when running bass they produce more heat than conventional amplifiers, but at 8kg each they are lovely to move about.

Also, i'm still a believer in conventional amplifiers being better to run bass.

[CRAZY K]

:D
Although biased and American this (http://www.psaudio.com/articles/sdat.asp) is a good article on the subject.

My subs have class-D's in them (not to be confused with Class-D's :rolleyes: )

As for "are they any good" well my subs sound nice and bassy! Never heard one driving tops so can't comment.

Hmmm that picture of Clive Sinclair brought back the bad memories--I remember in the 60s being conned into buying one of the Sinclair modules that was supposed to produce 100watts.

I spent a lot of time on the phone to Cambridge (Sinclairs HQ) complaining that the output compared to other makes at the time --Vox, Selmer etc was rubbish.

Maybe things got better:D

Ah yes the C5:D

My only comment Rob is that being smaller in size may not always be the answer--my new Flatscreen TV in the kitchen lasted 6 months and eventually
Comet wrote it off thankfully--I think we may have reached a stage where the trade off for making things smaller and thinner might be going past the point where its worthwhile i.e. sacrificing reliablity for style and convenience

In the case of DJ equipment not a good idea, anyway time will tell.

My Peavey Mixer Amp weighs a ton--but im sticking with it for now.

Doesnt have tear drop handles though:D


CRAZY K

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:
My only comment Rob is that being smaller in size may not always be the answer--my new Flatscreen TV in the kitchen lasted 6 months and eventually
Comet wrote it off thankfully--I think we may have reached a stage where the trade off for making things smaller and thinner might be going past the point where its worthwhile i.e. sacrificing reliablity for style and convenience



That has nothing to do with the size - that is more to do with using cheap components surely?

I can't see that making something smaller will affect its reliability.

The mobile phone market would have died ages ago if that was the case.

[Excalibur]

That has nothing to do with the size - that is more to do with using cheap components surely?

I can't see that making something smaller will affect its reliability.

The mobile phone market would have died ages ago if that was the case.

Not sure I agree with you there Darren. I do know that my latest mobile phone doesn't work as well as some older bigger ones! :confused:

[Andy Westcott]

I don't think 'digital' amps are the ultimate solution, and this is due to the type of output circuitry employed. There are issues concerning the damping factor, and the upper frequency response can be pretty poor due to the necessary output filtering. They may improve a bit as components and switching frequency improve, but it'll be a while before they are serious competition for linear amps, if that ever becomes the case.

For a non-demanding bass only applications I suppose they have a place, but don't offer the best of sound quality.

Best leave this type of circuit doing what it's best at - producing mains AC voltage from a car battery :)