The Panther likes Hypex!Did you see the NC400? Greats specs and sound.
The Panther likes Hypex!Did you see the NC400? Greats specs and sound.
Yep: My emotiva XPA-1 gen 2 in class A mode measures between 76db to 86 db snr at lower power outputs. It has -90 db harmonics. Not terribly good right? I have zero regrets! Tons of enjoyment from the best piece of gear I've heard.I wouldn't sell something you enjoy because it measured poorly. I use and appreciate Amir's measurements as a guide for buying and recommending new equipment, not as a guide for enjoying my existing gear. =)
These kinds of measurements are valuable from an engineering perspective, but their audibility under normal listening conditions is an open question particularly for speaker as opposed to headphones. The noise floor of a quiet room is 30-40dB, even with no music playing. And the loudspeaker and your room will add even more distortion. So you have to ask yourself if these issues are something you can hear. Or, better yet, get a hold of a better-measuring amp and do a A vs. B comparison yourself.
I wouldn't sell something you enjoy because it measured poorly. I use and appreciate Amir's measurements as a guide for buying and recommending new equipment, not as a guide for enjoying my existing gear. =)
These kinds of measurements are valuable from an engineering perspective, but their audibility under normal listening conditions is an open question particularly for speaker as opposed to headphones. The noise floor of a quiet room is 30-40dB, even with no music playing. And the loudspeaker and your room will add even more distortion. So you have to ask yourself if these issues are something you can hear. Or, better yet, get a hold of a better-measuring amp and do a A vs. B comparison yourself.
I was never impressed with the SDS-470C, it was a stop-gap solution. It just confirmed that I should buy the Bryston I've been wanting for a while
Even better, Amir has some Levinson gear in his home system. Would see interesting to see how it Benchmarks against the other stuff that's sent in for review.Bryston publishes their own measurements and have been measured elsewhere, but it still may be interesting if Amir can borrow one of their amps just to have a reference measurement in the matrix.
Even better, Amir has some Levinson gear in his home system. Would see interesting to see how it Benchmarks against the other stuff that's sent in for review.
The search for a value class-D continues
Thinking of building an LX-521 system?Would prefer to see ATI stuff (be it their own class AB, their nCore multichannels, or their OEM models for Monoprice and Outlaw). Could offer much the same without the premium for esoteric hifi mystique. What limited measurements seem promising, but I think ATI needs an additional data point much more than Bryston does. Especially the nCore stuff, which is down to about $500/channel for their 8-channel amp (perfect for a 4-way with the Okto DAC8 as crossover I reckon).
Even better, Amir has some Levinson gear in his home system. Would see interesting to see how it Benchmarks against the other stuff that's sent in for review.
If your amps blow up during testing, it is one thing. If mine does, it is an entirely different matter!When I saw that pic I wondered why he hadn't measured them.
If your amps blow up during testing, it is one thing. If mine does, it is an entirely different matter!
You have to show them who is the alpha dog or they won't behave.Ohhhh.
I didn't realize you were that hard on amps!
Now after reading the specs/test I am a little concerned that maybe what I prefer in this amp is actually noise? I can't tell, it just now amplifies music in a way that makes it warmer yet more detailed. Its like my speakers now provide more tone. I ABed the two amps as best I could and every time the Class D just brought something special that the rotel didn't. I would love to see the SDS470C tested but I live in NZ so that is not happening. I kind of doubt it will measure any better after seeing the CDA go down in distortion flames =). I agree the lack of real technical specs via ClassDAudio is pretty questionable.
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Why are you selling? Does it sound worse to you now or you didn't really like the sound in the first place?
Well this review caused me to stop lurking and actually join and post. Good work! I have a Class D Audio SDS470C myself driving Monitor Audio Silver 8 speakers (4 ohm, not particularly sensitive). I purchased the 470C after feeling my rotel power amp wasn't doing them justice and was potentially underpowering them. To say the 470C was revelatory would almost be an understatement. I am not kidding. Maybe my rotel was not working to spec. Who knows. But boy this SDS470C is great.
Now after reading the specs/test I am a little concerned that maybe what I prefer in this amp is actually noise? I can't tell, it just now amplifies music in a way that makes it warmer yet more detailed. Its like my speakers now provide more tone. I ABed the two amps as best I could and every time the Class D just brought something special that the rotel didn't. I would love to see the SDS470C tested but I live in NZ so that is not happening. I kind of doubt it will measure any better after seeing the CDA go down in distortion flames =). I agree the lack of real technical specs via ClassDAudio is pretty questionable.
One question. At what point does distortion become audible? Is what the CDA produces as noise and distortion audible? I get that any hifi enthisiast wants the least amount of distortion but what is the minimum of noise that would actually be noticeable? It seems that the distortion mentioned in the test would not be regarded as euphonic or anything? I wonder why mine sounds so good? Is the spec of less than 0.02% distortion appropriate for the hifi world? It certainly sounds like it is.
Keep up the good work. I really hope we can get another Class D Audio amp checked out. If nothing but to soothe my rather OCD personality =)