What are these "ICE" amplifiers?

[MotorToad]

I keep seeing ICE mentioned for amplifiers in these fora, especially regarding the new line of powered Purities. I've only ever seen this applied as "In Car Electronics" (or as the stuff that keeps beer cold) and since it's used so broadly for car amps googling is useless.

 

[Joey_V]

Class D... by Bang and Olufsen.

 

[sleepysurf]

Ice-Power amps are one of the new "Class D" Switching amp designs (high-powered, yet cool running). Bang and Olufsen designed the "Ice-Power" amp module, but there are also Class D designs from Hypex and others. Absolute Sound just published a roundtable discussion covering the pros/cons of Class D amps. They apparently work particularly well for subwoofers, with debateable success driving full-range speakers (electrostatic or otherwise). Specific details about the Ice-power design available here...

http://www.icepower.bang-olufsen.com/sw1022.asp

 

[MotorToad]

Ah, okay. New name, old thing. Shoulda known.

I'd be willing to put $1.00 of my own money that we each already own at least one ICE amplifier and we don't use it very often near our MartinLogans.

http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/ece4435/f01/ClassD2.pdf

Probably every sound you've heard from a speaker in a battery-powered device since the Game Boy has been through one of these.