07-02-2020, 10:16 PM
(07-02-2020, 03:22 PM)hifinet Wrote: I have been a tube audio enthusiast for decades. Tube power amps have better high frequency response compared to Class D, but you need high quality audio output transformers (expensive). It is impossible to achieve the low frequency response of Class D with a tube amp, the output transformer would need to be huge. I have personal experience with Icepower modules, but have read excellent reviews on the TI products. What speakers are you trying to drive? That will largely determine the amp you need. Audio is a compromise. High quality Class D amps are here now, and are an excellent choice in many applications.
I have a SET tube amp Art Audio Carissa 16WPC 845 and a 6-tube 6DJ8 phone EQ amp. I have a few pairs of loudspeakers. The pair used for the audition of my PCM5122 DAC + Class D amplifier design is Dynaudio Contour 1.3SE. I used the tube amp as the reference of tonality and sound quality. I have not used my tube amp for more than 9 months since my own design "Integrated RPi + PCM5122 DAC + TPA3116" sounds better than the Carissa. I have used a pair of very low jitters TCXOs to drive the PCM5122 in master mode. My TPA3116 class D amp has unique features balance driven input and inductorless output. So, there is no inductor at the output to muddle the sound. Anyone interested in getting this unique RPi integrated power amplifier and/or headphone amplifier can send email to info@soundberryaudio.com. I will also sell DIY kit which includes the complete enclosure hardware without RPi.
