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Class AB Versus Class D Amps - Your thoughts?

R

ruanddu

Member
Hi,

I recently got a brand new NHT Power Amp 2 which is a class D amp. It's 200 watts a side at 8 ohms. Previously I had a Bryston 3B-NRB which I believe is Class AB at 125 watts a side. To me, the Bryston smoked the NHT in every way, and it's a 15 year old amp! The Bryston had a cleaner signal, better -tighter bass and better imaging. The most suprising thing was the Bryston seems considerably more powerful than the NHT, even though it's rated at 125 a side compared to 200 a side for the NHT.

Do you think this is all in my head? Or, is it that class AB amps still outperform class D amps?

Thanks.
 
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Well, certainly all Class AB amps don't outperform all Class D amps.

If you didn't try the amps head to head in the same system, then I (personally) don't draw much conclusion about the comparison.
 
Yeah, I did compare the two amps in the same system and those were the results I got. I am just suprised at how much better the Bryston sounded. Thanks for your replies.
 
You said "prevously" had a Bryston. That sounded to me like at some other time, not at the same time.

I guess if you think the Bryston is/was better, then you should ditch the NHT and get another Bryston.
 
A 15-year old Bryston has a longer warranty remaining than a new NHT. Maybe this says something.
 
I found that amusing too, that a 15 yr old Bryston has a longer warranty than a brand new NHT. Currently, I have two Bryston 3b nrb's bridged to a pair of NHT 3.3's with a Magus Tube Pre. The sound is the best I've heard yet! Thanks for the replies.
 
I switched from a Bryston 3BSST to Bel Canto M300s - better sound, IMO, though the Bryston was an excellent amp.
 
Blue Shadow said:
A 15-year old Bryston has a longer warranty remaining than a new NHT. Maybe this says something.
Click to expand...

Yeah, means you have 15 years warranty left.

I agree that Brystons are fine amps, but my point is length of warranty has nothing to do with sound quality.
 
Hi,

No contest! Bryston by miles. Even a 20 year old Bryston amplifier still is in warranty and sounds superior to most any other amplifier.
 
Bryston has a 20 year warranty. Not 30 as previously suggested.

www.bryston.ca said:
We offer a full 20 Year transferable warranty, parts and labour, on all our analog products.
Click to expand...

I've been looking for a Bryston amp, myself, but they don't come cheap :(


Philip.
 
Phillip, I have an extra Bryston 3B-NRB that I was thinking of selling. I was using it for driving a passive sub. Please shoot me a message if interested. Thanks.
 
Hi,

I have several Bryston amplifiers of various models installed in my broadcast station monitor racks driving control room speakers. All sound good and are 24/7/365 reliable. I like Bryston as well as I do McIntosh. :tresbon:
 
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