Class D power amplifiers are also called digital power amplifiers. In terms of the technical categories used by power amplifiers, Class D power amplifiers are the third largest category of power amplifier products that are different from tube amplifiers and stone amplifiers. Compared with the other two major categories of power amplifier products, its working method and power amplification principle have undergone qualitative changes. It is precisely because of this huge technological innovation that many characteristics of Class D power amplifiers are completely different from traditional power amplifiers.
Let us understand the class D power amplifier from the following aspects:
The volume of class D power amplifier
One of the main features of Class D power amplifiers is that it is much smaller than traditional power amplifiers or tube amplifiers. The shape of Class D power amplifiers is usually small and exquisite. Even high-end series with high power can find products that are much smaller in size than tube amplifiers and traditional power amplifiers in the consumer market. From an aesthetic point of view, the appearance of Class D power amplifiers may be very popular with female consumers (the next time you give a gift on Valentine’s Day, why not consider giving a Class D power amplifier?) Well, this is just a joke!
So, how small is the size of a Class D power amplifier? A Class D power amplifier with two-channel drive and a peak output power of 50W per channel can be as small as a power strip. And it can provide the same maximum sound pressure level as a large-volume power amplifier after it is connected to speakers with the same power requirements as other power amplifier products. This is a very exciting thing for HIFI enthusiasts.
The reason why the Class D power amplifier can achieve such a small size is mainly due to three points:
First, the technical characteristics of Class D power amplifiers determine that their heat generation is very small and do not require large cooling fins;
Second, the entry-level Class D power amplifier usually uses an external power supply, and the main body of the power amplifier does not contain a large transformer, and the volume is instantly reduced;
Third, the popularization of Class D power amplifiers is relatively late compared with traditional power amplifiers, so it is not affected by the traditional power amplifier consumer market’s “hero by weight” selection mentality.
Energy Consumption Performance of Class D Power Amplifier
The power consumption performance of class D power amplifier is very good. Its consumption performance is currently at the top of all categories of power amplifiers. The energy efficiency utilization rate is as high as 90%, that is, only about 10% of the electric energy is used for heating, and high-end products can do better in this regard. For some speakers with low sensitivity and high power requirements, the Class D power amplifier can achieve the actual use effect of four or two.
The reason why the energy consumption performance of the class D power amplifier is so outstanding is mainly due to its relatively new working method and technical characteristics. After the Class D power amplifier is connected to the audio source, if it does not receive an audio signal from the audio source, even if its power switch is in the power-on state, the power consumption is only the same as when it is in standby. In other words, if the Class D power amplifier is not turned off for a long time, it will not cause additional waste of electricity.
Calorific value of class D power amplifier
While Class D power amplifier has high energy efficiency utilization, it will inevitably have ultra-low heat generation. If the Class D amplifier is connected to a small bookshelf speaker, the surface of the fuselage is almost cool when the volume is not high. If you touch the top of the fuselage with your hands, it will not be as hot as other power amplifier products. This advantage is also one of the main reasons why many HIFI enthusiasts choose Class D power amplifiers.
Class D amplifier price
In terms of price, the entry-level products of Class D power amplifiers are very affordable. The entry-level Class D power amplifier products DIYed by store managers on some e-commerce platforms can be priced at RMB 100 or even lower. Although it is a DIY product (the brand product of an informal manufacturer), after so many years of actual use experience of the majority of HIFI enthusiasts, these cost-effective Class D power amplifiers are worth trying for entry-level HIFI enthusiasts. It is also a great boon for HIFI enthusiasts to be able to try different types of power amplifier products at a lower price.
However, the overall price range of Class D power amplifiers is very large. For high-end Class D power amplifiers (brand products of regular manufacturers), the price of the same quality is much higher than that of Class AB power amplifiers. The specific reason for this phenomenon is related to the low popularity of Class D power amplifier products. There are not many consumers who are willing to pay for high-end Class D power amplifiers. As a result, after major manufacturers design a Class D power amplifier, they can only rely on Increase the unit price to increase profit margins.
Class D power amplifiers were used in car audio systems in the early years. Due to the relatively tight power consumption in the vehicle environment, if you use a class AB power amplifier or a class A power amplifier, you will not be able to get sufficient power to drive. Therefore, the good energy consumption performance of the D class power amplifier makes it very suitable for use in the car environment. Play a role. At that time, HIFI enthusiasts and friends who had cars often modified the Class D power amplifier in their own cars as part of the modified car for fun. Modifying the car with the stereo is also a great source of fun for them.
There was always a “voice” in the consumer market at that time, that is, it was rumored that the sound quality of Class D power amplifiers was far inferior to that of Class AB power amplifiers and Class A power amplifiers. Of course, such a statement is exaggerated. However, the Class D power amplifiers at that time did have some disadvantages in terms of sound fidelity compared with other traditional power amplifiers. However, after adding a large number of auxiliary circuits, the Class D power amplifier products in recent years have made up for the shortcomings of the year. Today’s Class D power amplifier not only has an unshakable position in the car audio system products, but also gradually stands out in the field of home audio products, and some major manufacturers have even included Class D power amplifiers in their high-end product lines. design and manufacture. The price of these high-end Class D power amplifier products has also kept pace with other categories of power amplifier products.
Therefore, today’s Class D power amplifiers can be said to be different from what they used to be. It is not so objective to look at it with the colored eyes of the past. Based on the inherent excellent characteristics of Class D power amplifiers, coupled with the continuous improvement of it, the defects are made up for. The current Class D power amplifier can be said to be a power amplifier product with the characteristics of “the best of both worlds”. At the same time, the power amplifier products that can achieve such a “balance” in terms of energy consumption performance and sound quality performance, at present, I am afraid that there are only Class D power amplifiers.
We can make a brief summary of the purchasing suggestions for Class D power amplifiers. The entry-level class D power amplifier is a very good choice for HIFI enthusiasts who like to try new products, especially for HIFI enthusiasts who already own other types of power amplifier products, it is also a good choice to spend less money to experience new categories. You can also try to compare the difference between Class D power amplifiers and other types of power amplifiers in terms of actual listening experience, maybe you will find unexpected discoveries! At the same time, it is also recommended for HIFI enthusiasts who are just getting started to try Class D power amplifiers to start their own HIFI fever at a lower cost.
For high-end Class D power amplifiers, HIFI enthusiasts with economic ability are also highly recommended to try them out. Although many auxiliary functions are integrated inside the high-end Class D power amplifier, the advantages of its volume and weight may not be so obvious, but the power amplifier modules used in these high-end Class D power amplifier products are very good, and the sound quality is comparable to that of other categories. Some of the high-end products are a fight. In addition, the appearance design of high-end Class D power amplifiers is generally very avant-garde, and the high-end Class D power amplifiers of some major manufacturers may have full-color large-area display screens, which can be described as full of technology.