new jaycar digital amp

[garfa]

hi guys,
whats the deal with the new "fully digital" 4x100WRMS amp by jaycar? what class is it? will it sound much better than the exhisting 4x130WRMS?
cheers, garth.

[stocky]

got a link to any info about it?

[garfa]

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...=&SUBCATID=595

[stocky]

looks alright. not sure about all digital though. i know that with guitar amps, all digital mostly means its crap.

how do normal car amplifiers work? do they use transistors, tubes or what?

[StoneX]

Transistors normally, there is some supposed "high end" amps that use tubes.

They are full range class D amps. Car Audio Australia had a topic about them.

[garfa]

yeah i wasn't sure if the jaycar was class d or t.
i cant seem to find that article of car audio aust. could you post a link stone?
cheers.

[StoneX]

I can't find the thread about full range class D, but I found a topic about the Jaycar amp, but mainly with useless opinions and a thread about class D operation (sorta). Google should have alot of info on full range class D operation and performance.

http://www.caraudioaustralia.com/for...howtopic=61621

http://www.caraudioaustralia.com/for...howtopic=61924

[garfa]

thanks mate.

[Phreddy]

Good post Garfa - nice links too StoneX.

Looks like I have a little light reading to do!

[Phreddy]

Hmmmmm - a little concerned with the signal-to-noise ratio.... 70dB??? That's not exactly great.....

Still, nice and small though.

[StoneX]

I think i'll stick to Class A/B for full range

Class D seems a bit below par and Class A is way too expensive and inefficient.

[garfa]

Hmmmmm - a little concerned with the signal-to-noise ratio.... 70dB??? That's not exactly great.....

Still, nice and small though.

yes exactly my thoughts......
the class ab is still much cheaper if bought from new millenium aswell.
i havent been around the forum lately and i was wondering where has ray gone?

[semi]

looks alright. not sure about all digital though. i know that with guitar amps, all digital mostly means its crap.

how do normal car amplifiers work? do they use transistors, tubes or what?

If by digital you mean solid-state, about 70% of amps are solidstate. True that valves are better, but it doesnt mean that solids are crap. My amp is more digital, with digital effects, etc and still has a pretty good tone

[Tasmaniak]

Valves + Bass =

[garfa]

If by digital you mean solid-state, about 70% of amps are solidstate. True that valves are better, but it doesnt mean that solids are crap. My amp is more digital, with digital effects, etc and still has a pretty good tone

solid state (transistor amps) are a different ball game to digital amps. solid state covers any transistor amp and digital is a type os solid state amp.
i dont know if valves really are better or worse, i think people who have grown up with them enjoy the warmness of their sound. just as a 2-stroke rider prefers 2-strokes over 4 stroke bike even though they have diferent charistics.

[Phreddy]

Valve amps have their place, and I know there are "audiophiles" out there who will disagree, but I reckon guitar/instrument amplifiers are where valves are at their best. When a transistor is driven into distortion, it's a very "hard edge" kind of sound, whereas a valve begins distorting much more "gracefully" if you like - a much warmer "fuzzier" sound. Overdriving a valve guitar amp gives a lovely rich distortion, with amps of different brands and designs having their own signature "sound". (Marshall is a classic example)

Many people perfer valve amps for Hi-Fi use as well, but they must be VERY well designed so that the valve is always operating in its' linear region. The aim of "Hi-Fi" is linearity, and as soon as distortion is produced that's out the window. Valve amps are also notoriously inefficient (if they're going to be linear), plus they're affected by mechanical vibration causing the valve to become "microphonic" - in other words, the control electrodes inside the valve vibrate as well - they're made up of metallic grids and plates inside the glass envelope - producing sound that's not there in the music. The control electrodes in a transistor can't vibrate - it's a solid lump of silicon.

Anyways, just my own humble opinions. No flaming pleez!

Cheerz!

[mouce]

^^^Yeap, summed it up nicely (well...I think so anyway). Each type of amp system (valve driven or solid state) has it's own unique sound profile and performance characteristics.

If you look at the VERY top end home theater setups they almost always use valves, but for most mid-budget applications solid state wins out because it's easier to produce and setup.

And let's face it, unless you're forking out for really good quality speakers and are a complete audiophile, you're never going to notice a large difference.

[Tasmaniak]

Valve amps have their place, and I know there are "audiophiles" out there who will disagree, but I reckon guitar/instrument amplifiers are where valves are at their best. When a transistor is driven into distortion, it's a very "hard edge" kind of sound, whereas a valve begins distorting much more "gracefully" if you like - a much warmer "fuzzier" sound. Overdriving a valve guitar amp gives a lovely rich distortion, with amps of different brands and designs having their own signature "sound". (Marshall is a classic example)

Many people perfer valve amps for Hi-Fi use as well, but they must be VERY well designed so that the valve is always operating in its' linear region. The aim of "Hi-Fi" is linearity, and as soon as distortion is produced that's out the window. Valve amps are also notoriously inefficient (if they're going to be linear), plus they're affected by mechanical vibration causing the valve to become "microphonic" - in other words, the control electrodes inside the valve vibrate as well - they're made up of metallic grids and plates inside the glass envelope - producing sound that's not there in the music. The control electrodes in a transistor can't vibrate - it's a solid lump of silicon.

Anyways, just my own humble opinions. No flaming pleez!

Cheerz!

A valve is also very happy when it is overdriven. Infact, it's best sound is hen it is distorting. Thats why if you buy a 100watt valve amp then speakers in the cabinet are all rated for 400 wrms Because the amp iss going to delivering that much power.

I love my Marshall

[Phreddy]

Mmmmmmmmmm - Marshall.......

(Hey webmaster - we need a "drool" smilie!!)

[semi]

what marshall is it? an AVT or an umm.. JSL?

valves certainly do ahve a much nicer tone though

[stocky]

haha does everyone here have a marshall? i have one too, but its only a 50w solidstate

[semi]

i dont. i have a 100W line6 spider, but a valvestate marshall would be very nice

[Tasmaniak]

JCM 800..is there any other for rock?

I also have a 30watt Laney Class A that is just mindblowing.

[semi]

thats the one i was thinking of mmm nice. enough of polluting this thread though

[Phreddy]

Hmmmm - I don't have a Marshall....

Have a lovely old 100W HH Electronic though - old pommie amp from the late 70s - the ones with the EL lighting behind the control panel. It rocks!!