And now for something completely different! Instead of the usual review on a single amplifier, we're going to look at four amplifiers from four different companies. In a normal comparison test, we'd get four similar models and test them to see which company did the best, but this test is definitely an apples-to-oranges-to-kiwis-to-broccoli assessment. The two similarities between these four amplifiers is that they are all 2-channel models and they take little wiggles and turn them into bigger wiggles.
With several amplifier technologies coming of age, it's time to see how the "industry standard" Class AB amplifier compares with 1) a tube amp (normal 50 years ago); 2) a full-range Class D; and 3) a Class G amplifier. In this first installment of our informal comparison, we'll be conducting a bench test and examine the circuits. Bear in mind that these amplifiers were not matched up in terms of output power or retail price, but are each subjects of different topologies. We will be follow up our objective testing (in this issue) with some good, old-fashioned listening tests (in our September issue), utilizing a panel of handpicked judges and a set of reference speakers. I guarantee that this is at least as important as the bench testing.
Hurry and pick up the August 2005 issue of Car Audio and Electronic Magazine for the complete story, and a lot more photos.