Class D digital amps?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=23138
Printed Date: May 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Topic: Class D digital amps?
Posted By: Durwood
Subject: Class D digital amps?
Date Posted: December 21, 2003 at 4:19 AM
I don't have any first-hand experience with "class D" digital amplifiers, but I saw an ad for a PowerAcoustik model that supposedly puts out 2300W RMS into one ohm, and costs just a little over $300. Even if they're wildly inflating the power numbers, that still sounds like a hell of a deal. I paid almost that much for a Linear Power 2202IQ (about 375W RMS mono) in 1991, and $300 is about what I paid for the used Precision Power A1200.2 (1200 WRMS mono) that I'm using now. I know that digital amps are bandwidth-limited, making them more suitable as subwoofer amps than as full-range amps, but are there any other drawbacks to this design? Scott Gardner
Replies:
Posted By: jakita
Date Posted: December 21, 2003 at 8:56 PM
They sound like crap. I dont know why but I have had alot of experience with them and they just dont cut it for quality. They do put out a high wattage and do well with rap and the like but if you compare it to an equal power class a amp they suck. Great for space limited installs because they are generally alot smaller for the power. Also they dont suck as much power. Just keep your PPI amp. If you want more power just feed more into your amp. Use a cap and make sure your alternator can keep up. Use large enough power wire and use good connections. Check for voltage drops.
Posted By: richs
Date Posted: January 18, 2004 at 12:31 PM
Currently, class d is only useful for subs, and then you will typically have other problems. Class D amps have high-frequency switching power supplies which create high levels of RFI and EMI radiation which can get into other components and cause noise. Typically radio reception will suffer the most with all kinds of noise. Right now, I would not recommend them for anything other than a paperweight or door stop.
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Best Regards,
Rich
Posted By: ksin291
Date Posted: January 19, 2004 at 8:35 AM
I don't agree with that statement, I think class D amps are excellent in what they where designed for, subs. While they are not useful for full range applications they are great at what they do. I have used class D amps from both JL Audio and Memphis Car Audio and while these amps are by no means cheap I was very satisfied with their performance.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: January 19, 2004 at 3:14 PM
I also do not agree with the findings, I have used the full range Xtant Class D amp in a vehicle for center channel applications, this amp was designed from the outset for an application just like this. While most class D amps are optimised for subs, it will not be long before you see more of them in the full range applications, just like the arguement when single bit dac's were introduced back in the day, "they had excessive crossover distortion", hmmm how many cd players now use a single bit dac?
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