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A class-T amplifier is a switching (class-D) audio amplifier, and ''Class T'' is a registered trademark for Tripath's amplifier technologies (patent filed on Jun 20, 1996). Similar designs have now been widely adopted by different manufacturers. It is an implementation of class-D amplifiers, but uses proprietary techniques to control the pulse width modulation to produce what is claimed to be better performance (e.g., lower noise, lower distortion, etc.) than other Class D amplifier designs. Among the publicly disclosed differences is real time control of the switching frequency depending on the input signal and amplfied output. One of the amplifiers, the TA2020, was named one of the twenty-five chips that 'shook the world" by the IEEE Spectrum magazine.〔 The control signals in class-T amplifiers may be computed using digital signal processing or fully analog techniques. Currently available implementations use a loop similar to a higher order Delta-Sigma (ΔΣ) (or sigma-delta) modulator, with an internal digital clock to control the sample comparator. The two key aspects of this topology are that (1), feedback is taken directly from the switching node rather than the filtered output, and (2), the higher order loop provides much higher loop gain at high audio frequencies than would be possible in a conventional single pole amplifier. Despite Tripath's claimed increased performance at a price similar to class-D technology, financial difficulties caused Tripath to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 8 February 2007. Tripath's stock and intellectual property were purchased later that year by Cirrus Logic. As of 2013 the Tripath based amps are still very popular, especially amongst the DIY audio fraternity as they are cheap to buy, have a reputation for good sound, and are often easy to upgrade with better quality components. ==Products and applications== Tripath used to sell the amplifiers as chips, or as chipsets, to be integrated into products by other companies in several countries. For example: * Sony, Panasonic and Blaupunkt use them in several car stereos and integrated home cinema systems * Apple Computer used them in their Power Mac G4 Cube, Power Mac G4 (Digital audio), eMac and iMac (Flat Panel) computers * Audio Research, an audio electronics company, formerly an exclusive tube circuit specialist, produced a Tripath based audiophile amplifier. * Sonneteer, a British hifi company, analogue amplifier and technology specialists, manufactured the Bronte amplifier (1999),〔http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/December%202002/127/827913/Sonneteer+Bront%C3%AB#header-logo〕 based around a Tripath class-T module. * Bel Canto Design used them in their eVo range of amplifiers. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Class-T amplifier」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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