Latest news:
DDFA™ (direct digital feedback amplifier) is the new name for Class Z digital input switching amplifier products.

Click here for further information

Latest news:
Fully featured DDFA amplifier rivals the sound quality of high end linear amplifiers.

For further information about the DDFA chipset email: audio@zetex.com

Latest news:
New subwoofer designs feature 150W, 300W and 500W output power with outstanding audio performance

For further information about subwoofer amplifiers email: audio@zetex.com


Press room

Press releases - Audio

  • October 2007
    		•  - Zetex to speak at Audio Engineering Society
  • June 2007
    		•  - Zetex presents DDFA technology at Audio Engineering Society
  • May 2007
    		•  - Zetex and NAD Electronics unveil collaboration in the development of high-performance digital audio amplifiers
  • January 2007
    		•  - Revolutionary chipset uses direct digital feedback amplifier (DDFA) technology for a listening experience to rival the best linear amplifiers
  • June 2006
    		•  - Higher power, higher efficiency MOSFETs meet Class D audio amplifier needs
  • September 2005
    		•  - Zetex enables top-of-the-range audio performance for Theta Digital
  • April 2005
    		•  - 500W Class D subwoofer amplifier boosts audio performance
  • January 2005
    		•  - Direct digital feedback amplifier technology heralds a new era in high fidelity sound
  • February 2002
    		•  - MOSFETs to give that home theater sound
  • July 2001
    		•  - Audio amplifier boards give true hi-fi sound with better than 0.2% distortion and noise
  • December 2000
    		•  - Class D audio amplifier gives a virtuoso performance


    For press releases prior to this date contact: marcom@zetex.com

    Articles - Audio
    •  Class D amplification in action

      • The article initially introduces the concept of Class D amplification and highlights its primary benefit over previous technology. The article goes on to discuss how Class D works, an analogy with a SMPS is drawn and the differences between the two topologies are highlighted. Thirdly, the concept of an Ideal amplifier is introduced and the sources of noise and distortion are identified.
    •  Effizienter HiFi-Verstärker: Class D mit Feedback

      • Bisher galt: Audio-Verstärker klingen entweder gut (Class AB), oder sie sind effizient (Class D). Die Fortschritte bei Class D sind aber unüberhörbar, und derartige Verstärker können inzwischen mit sehr guten linearen Verstärkern mithalten – oder sie gar übertreffen. Dabei kommen Methoden wie Noise Shaping und direkter Feedback zum Einsatz. Nur die dadurch erzielte gute Tonqualität erlaubt den breiten Einsatz hocheffizienter Class-D-Verstärker an Stelle herkömmlicher, wenig effizienter Verstärker.
    •  500W subwoofer design using Class D technology

      • With active subwoofers demanding typical power levels up to 500W, building the amplifiers to meet the requirement is not without difficulty. Consider using a 50% efficient Class AB amplifier, and it’s not hard to imagine a power source that generates masses of heat, is very large, heavy and prohibitive in cost.
    •  Digital-input Class-D amplifiers sound great!
      Top tips for nervous designers

      • The benefits that Class-D switching amplifiers bring to efficiency, size, and cost improvements are undeniable. But consumer electronics-such as audio-video receivers that power with <0.05% distortion and >100dB dynamic range-amplification.
    •  Class D audio - meeting the design challenge

      • Developed to tackle the design constraints imposed by many of today's audio system requirements, the latest in Class D audio amplifier chip overcomes the problems associated with this class of amplification and enables development of some very high quality amplifiers.

    Date:October 2007
    Title:Zetex to speak at Audio Engineering Society
    Synopsis:Craig Bell, Audio Product Marketing Manager at Zetex Semiconductors is to speak at the Audio Engineering Society’s 123rd Convention taking place in New York 5-8 October. Bell’s paper, “The application of direct digital feedback for amplifier system control†will discuss the opportunities and advantages that direct digital feedback brings to audio system management.
    Full Release:  

    Date:June 2007
    Title:Zetex presents DDFA technology at Audio Engineering Society
    Synopsis:Direct Digital Feedback Amplifier (DDFAâ„¢) technology is being presented to the 31st International Audio Engineering Society Conference in London.
    Full Release:  

    Date:May 2007
    Title:Zetex and NAD Electronics unveil collaboration in the development of high-performance digital audio amplifiers
    Synopsis:NAD Electronics and Zetex Semiconductors announce the joint-development of high-performance digital amplifiers incorporating Zetex Class Z direct digital feedback amplifier (DDFA™) technology, a unique performance-optimised digital amplifier architecture.
    Full Release:    

    Date:January 2007
    Title:Revolutionary chipset uses direct digital feedback amplifier (DDFA) technology for a listening experience to rival the best linear amplifiers
    Synopsis:Comprising the ZXCZM800 multi-channel digital modulator and the ZXCZA200 analog feedback processor, a digital amplifier chipset from Zetex Semiconductors has been introduced to create audio products capable of producing a sound quality to rival that of the best linear amplifiers.
    Full Release:      

    Date:June 2006
    Title:Higher power, higher efficiency MOSFETs meet Class D audio amplifier needs
    Synopsis:A new generation of trench MOSFETs from Zetex Semiconductors has been introduced to provide the high efficiency, cool running and quality audio reproduction demanded by Class D output stages.
    Full Release:      

    Date:September 2005
    Title:Zetex enables top-of-the-range audio performance for Theta Digital
    Synopsis:Zetex and Theta Digital have announced that Zetex’ AcoustarTM digital amplifier processing technology is being exploited to provide unprecedented sound fidelity in Theta’s new digital audio amplifier, the Virtu PowerDAC, which was launched at CEDIA EXPO in Indianapolis, USA, September 2005.
    Full Release:    

    Date:April 2005
    Title:500W Class D subwoofer amplifier boosts audio performance
    Synopsis:Achieving THD+N figures of better than 0.05% from 1W up to 90% full power, a 500W RMS into 4Ω analog input Class D reference design from Zetex is setting new standards of audio performance in active subwoofers. Backed by a single channel evaluation board - the ZXCD500MOEVAL – the design also demonstrates how amplifier cost and size can be significantly reduced.
    Full Release:      

    Date:January 2005
    Title:Direct digital feedback amplifier technology heralds a new era in high fidelity sound
    Synopsis:Launched at CES 2005, a direct digital feedback technology from audio switching amplifier specialist Zetex Semiconductors sets new standards in digital amplifier sound quality.
    Full Release:    

    Date:February 2002
    Title:MOSFETs to give that home theater sound
    Synopsis:Zetex has launched a series of four N and P-channel MOSFETs providing all the performance demanded by Class D audio systems. The 35V breakdown voltage of the parts ensures they readily deliver up to 100W to a 4Ω speaker.
    Full Release:      

    Date:July 2001
    Title:Audio amplifier boards give true hi-fi sound with better than 0.2% distortion and noise
    Synopsis:Built around the ZXCD1000 switching amplifier controller, two new evaluation boards from Zetex provide complete mono and stereo Class D audio amplifiers attaining total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) ratings of less than 0.2% in open loop, reducing to a typical of 0.05% in a closed loop configuration.
    Full Release:    

    Date:December 2000
    Title:Class D audio amplifier gives a virtuoso performance
    Synopsis:The ZXCD1000 switching amplifier offers high efficiency, excellent audio quality (best in class THD + N), compactness, and low cost per watt. In combination with application specific output magnetics and Zetex HDMOS MOSFET devices, the ZXCD1000 provides a high performance Class D audio amplifier with all the inherent benefits of Class D. Efficiency is excellent, at greater than 90%. This enables a very compact solution requiring smaller power supplies and generating between much less heat than comparable Class A/B linear amplifiers. Depending on the choices of output bridge configuration, it provides true high fidelity performance at an output power between 20W and 100W. The new device is ideal for wide ranging audio applications, including DVD, home theater, powered speakers, PC multimedia, automotive audio, PA systems, and mini/micro hi-fi systems.
    Full Release:    

     Audio press room

    NAD logo
    Zetex and NAD Electronics unveil collaboration in the development of high-performance digital audio amplifiers

     Publications

     Literature

     Exceptional Class D subwoofer amplifier solutions

     Direct digital feedback amplifiers