This isn’t anything new amongst many beginners, audiophiles and the connoisseurs of high end audio. I came across this video - link is provided here - which explains in simple English the basic differences between these three categories especially for the beginners. Having listened and owned various amps from these categories, I’ve already formed an opinion as what I like and think is the best. But that’s not to say I can or anyone can establish one is better over the other … it finally comes down to one’s taste, genre of music, room, gear and acoustics…hope budding enthusiasts will find this useful …

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FNJRWaiTU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

quite interesting, I have all 3 classes discussed and like them all in their own way.

Even though my system consists of active class A speakers, I have heard some class D based systems which are very impressive.

If I was to set up a system from scratch today, I would most likely be looking at class D amp active speakers

Edited January 25Jan 25 by Gandra
Spelling

3 hours ago, Batty said:

quite interesting, I have all 3 classes discussed and like them all in their own way.

That’s precisely the point! Thank you for sharing!

If you have 3 different amps and halve can spot the difference means that the recognition is actually higher. Just my opinions that will follow so don't get your knickers in a twist.

In my opinion class A when there was only vinyl and radio already hints the quality of sound was questionable. We tried to correct these short comings with EQ's and various different filters.

AB was an evolution that digital formats demanded with more clarity and range. You can argue that all of the above are digital but in it sense I think the commercial use of magnetic tape is what started it.

Class D again is an evolution that many of the Class A hate because it makes the old just old, redundant and expensive that will be fiercely defended. I have no doubts about it. Just my opinion. Class D can offer clarity and overall better sound than A and maybe even AB at fraction of the price. Also it is good to notice that Class D also has brands and models that are expensive taking the Class D to new heights but also realize lot of it in audiophile is expensive snake oil.

You can pay $10K for an amp that has maybe $500 worth of electronics and $9500 box. That actually goes for all of the audiophile components.

Going back to the test the first thing you should ask is the percentage of people in the test that have the hearing to spot the difference. Halve of the people have very limited hearing yet claim to be an expert in the subject. You just need to follow these forums to understand that halve the people that can't hear properly only argue about numbers not about if something actually changed the sound because they can't hear it. That alone knowing that halve of the test subjects most likely didn't have the hearing needed and halve of the people did hear the difference to me proves that there are big differences. This actually the same argument about Op Amps that are critical on Class D amps to give the desired sound quality between different music genders.

I own some of the up there Pioneer AB amps that sound very good. Worth maybe a $5000 for the system 25 years ago. Today I have 2 x $55 + power supplies Aiyima A07 Premiums Class D powering the same speakers. These fit in your palm. Sceptical a bit? Hell yeah but once you start to listen you realize we are living a different era and tech keeps on going and the old just get old and older.