Digital Amps

[casey.ryback]

Is there actually such a thing as digital amps?

Very very few amps are marketed as 'Digital'. I am struggling to read any comparisons or differences. I understand there are fundamental differences between Classes and how the circuitry runs.

Does digital run even cooler? Is the signal more clean etc. I starting to think it's just a marketing ploy on the very few that have 'digital' in the title.

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[The Camry]

Is there actually such a thing as digital amps?
Very very few amps are marketed as 'Digital'. I am struggling to read any comparisons or differences. I understand there are fundamental differences between Classes and how the circuitry runs.

Does digital run even cooler? Is the signal more clean etc. I starting to think it's just a marketing ploy on the very few that have 'digital' in the title.

Are you talking about class A/B vs D?

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[JohnKuthe]

Is there actually such a thing as digital amps?
Very very few amps are marketed as 'Digital'. I am struggling to read any comparisons or differences. I understand there are fundamental differences between Classes and how the circuitry runs.

Does digital run even cooler? Is the signal more clean etc. I starting to think it's just a marketing ploy on the very few that have 'digital' in the title.

"Digital" is a sales buzzword, much like "turbo". "titanium", etc. May be meaningless like the word "titanium" in clothing. I'll bet there exists NO titanium in clothing except the word on the label!

John Kuthe...

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

No such thing as a digital amp. Some have digital displays.

 

[macsdad 10+ year member]

I know this, but the are a few that call their amps 'digital' class amps. And the same with bass boost, if it only introduces distortion, why is it on amps to begin with?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I know this, but the are a few that call their amps 'digital' class amps. And the same with bass boost, if it only introduces distortion, why is it on amps to begin with?

You can use bass boost as a type of EQ. That was its original purpose

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

I think most are just digital readouts, like the kicker sx line

 

[casey.ryback]

Here is an example:

RFM1.1100D – Soundstream

Soundstream specifically mention "Class D Digital Monoblock", where as all others are just "Class D Moboblocks"

But I think you guys have answered my question, there is no difference.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

I doubt soundstream even knows what they have

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Here is an example:
RFM1.1100D – Soundstream

Soundstream specifically mention "Class D Digital Monoblock", where as all others are just "Class D Moboblocks"

But I think you guys have answered my question, there is no difference.

a lot of these cheap class D amps will use any fancy term or labeling to sell you junk. Just ignore it like you do with peak power ratings and move on.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I know this, but the are a few that call their amps 'digital' class amps. And the same with bass boost, if it only introduces distortion, why is it on amps to begin with?

lets say you have a 6th order tuned to 23 hz one chamber and 55hz the other chamber. It plays 20-35hz strong dips a bit from 35 to 45 hz and hits hard again at 50hz+. As long as you are not redlining the output and with a goal of smooth bandwidth in mind, you can use bass boost to balance out the frequency response and create a flatter response by filling up that empty void 35 to 45hz. Of course if you redline or demo at shows trying to make people tap, you wont be using bass boost. However for daily listening and SQ purposes, it can be used if done properly.

Bad thing about this is most of the times people peak in the 40-50hz range already so most bass boosts at 45hz do nothing but make the sound even peakier.

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

its called discrete. it means fully on or fully off.. as it it has two defining states. its not "floating" or "semi" active like class A B G H... the power supply is more efficient this way because it only uses current in its ON state instead of the traditional circuity that varies with input/output. analog work on a principle of linear gain/fall while class D works on PWM(pulse width that is modulated).. its the definition of non linear..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplifier

tons of good info for starters..

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Here is an example:
RFM1.1100D – Soundstream

Soundstream specifically mention "Class D Digital Monoblock", where as all others are just "Class D Moboblocks"

But I think you guys have answered my question, there is no difference.

Before dip **** starts spewing BS about how D doesn't sound as good. Look up names like Mark Eldridge and Scott Bulwalda. Two people that have the highest recorded scores in master classes of sound quality and they use class D amps. Also it's been proven for the last 30 years that people can't hear a difference in amps as long as the power is matched.

Papermaker don't believe any of that. Even though it's very well know across the audiophile community.

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Before dip **** starts spewing BS about how D doesn't sound as good. Look up names like Mark Eldridge and Scott Bulwalda. Two people that have the highest recorded scores in master classes of sound quality and they use class D amps. Also it's been proven for the last 30 years that people can't hear a difference in amps as long as the power is matched. Papermaker don't believe any of that. Even though it's very well know across the audiophile community.

Let me ask you this. How is the distortion measured in sound quatitly events? How are the recordings accuracy measured?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Let me ask you this. How is the distortion measured in sound quatitly events? How are the recordings accuracy measured?

basically all subjective from what i've seen.