With the talk of ‘digital’ amps I thought this might be of some interest:
Some of you know Bruno Putzeys from his DSD Converter, Grimm Audio, etc. Not sure if you know of the amplifiers he designs?
The Hypex UcD (Class D) is eminently suitable for mastering—just ask him.
His primary design goal was full-range neutrality/transparency so they have resolved the few areas problematic with most other Class D (Tripath Bel Canto, etc). There is a pile of info on this—but I won’t bore you. Hypex amps can be used in either ‘active’ speaker applications, or as power amp monoblocks. There are three versions, with varying power output.
Here are some links if anyone wants to look further:
This is the data sheet for BP’s Hypex ‘400’ amplifier module (performance graphs at bottom of page)
http://www.hypex.nl/docs/UcD400_datasheet.pdf(note, e.g., the THD vs Freq. plot—ruler flat)
A US company that direct sells (US built) mono-blocks using the Hypex modules:
http://www.ciaudio.com/D200.htmlEssentially, they provide the power supply and box.
And if you are really interested….here is a B. Putzey’s paper about the amplifier, given to AES in the spring of 2005:
http://www.hypex.nl/docs/document.pdfI hope that did not seem too much like an advert.
Just thought some of you might be interested. I have no connection!.... although I listen at home via a Benchmark feeding a set of the the Hypex/D100 mono blocks.
Mark Matthewman