NEW: How does the Cherry differ from the DAC4800A?

The Cherry amplifier has a bigger transformer (nearly double the size), bigger heat sinks, and a new beautiful face (dark cherry red). The Cherry sound is even more powerful and refined than DAC4800A. Bridged output power is boosted from 1000W with the DAC4800A to more than 1200W with the Cherry. Noise and distortion characteristics are nearly identical. There is no standby toggle button on the front of the Cherry, but standby mode is still available through the DC control jack on the back of the unit. The DAC4800A has status indicators (LEDs) on the front panel, but the Cherry doesn't. The Cherry is about ten pounds heavier than the DAC4800A.

Why does the DAC4800A sound so good?

The DAC4800A has a "purist" sound due to tremendous output accuracy. By keeping distortion and noise below the threshold of hearing, the details in music emerge as bright as day. Distortion and noise are kept low by a proprietary control scheme that regulates current to the load (speaker) during every transition cycle --- nearly a million times per second. On top of that, the output topology is not even capable of "crossover distortion" since the output voltage is a function of a continuous time transition ratio. This can be thought of as a digital computer state, high or low, similarly one and zero. However, the time that the power signal changes states is not "discrete time", as in run by a clock. The timing is continuously variable, meaning that there is inherently limitless resolution to the output signal. Crossover distortion is what plagues the typical solid state amplifier. This is when current goes from "pushing" to "pulling" the speaker, or vice-versa.

Does the DAC4800A sound as good as tubes (valves)?

Many say that it sounds better. Yes, tubes sound great at low levels, but so does the DAC4800A. In fact, it is exceptional at low levels due to reasons stated above. Tubes have a few problems right from the start such as high output impedance, difficulty achieving large power output, and reliability. If you're into tubes, you know that replacing them can be a pain. They are hard to find, fragile, and expensive. They are also inefficient.

What is a Class-D amplifier?

The strict definition of a Class-D amplifier only requires that the output devices are used as switches. Fictitious class names that refer to switching amplifiers are actually referring to Class-D. Switching amplifiers are therefore Class-D amplifiers.

What is a "digital amplifier"?

Class-D amplifiers are often called "digital amplifiers". However, the "D" in Class-D doesn't stand for "digital", as is commonly thought. Switching amplifiers usually incorporate digital circuits (as in computers), so they can be thought of as "digital". There is controversy surrounding the definition of "digital amplifier" because it implies that the amplifier is made entirely of computer circuits, but this is not the case.

What are the types of digital amplifiers?
We divide digital amplifiers into two main categories, Analog Class-D and Digital Class-D. We refer to Class-D amplifiers with analog inputs as Analog Class-D and Class-D amplifiers with digital inputs as Digital Class-D. We further divide both types of Class-D amps into open-loop and closed-loop types to indicate whether feedback is used or not. Therefore, there are four fundamental types of Class-D amplifiers:
  1) Open Loop Analog Class-D = analog input without feedback
  2) Closed Loop Analog Class-D = analog input with feedback (DAC4800A / Cherry)

  3) Open Loop Digital Class-D = digital input without feedback

  4) Closed Loop Digital Class-D = digital input with feedback

Does the DAC4800A wrap feedback around the output filter?
No. Wrapping feedback around the output filter doesn't provide significant improvement in output impedance. We keep the output filter outside the loop, which lowers distortion and provides a superior listening experience. We also use super heavy duty components to insure the lowest natural filter impedance (practically zero).

What products does DAC offer?
We offer amplifiers and related products. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive announcements of product offerings before they appear on this site. We are focused on ultra-high performance!

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