Any one else like the class D ICE power amps?

Tgrisham,
My experience is very much like yours. I am running a highly modded Jolida Music Envoy pre and a Modwright / Sony 9100ES disc player (Platinum Sig. Truth mod), Maggie 3.6s and my Murano P-1000s+ monos (identical internally to the Bel Canto and Jeff Roland models using the B & O 1000 ASP module). I have been tempted of late to do tube hybrid amps so that I have tubes throughout the system, but the more I look into it the more I realize I will probably NEVER part with my amps. Unless one spends something in the $10,000+ range for high--powered tube amps, he will never duplicate the "magic" that happens when mating a great ICE-power (or equivalent class D) amp with a great tubed preamp. You summed it up nicely...you really DO get the best of everything in terms of speed, articulation, soundstaging, dynamics, etc., AND a flesh-and-bones visceral sonic picture that is wonderful to listen to for hours on end. It is this kind of synergy that keeps the upgrade bug tamed, in my experience. By the way, I noticed that there is a HUGE amount of discussion of Class D on these forums, and for good reason!

Yes, I am firmly entrenched in the Class D/ICE camp these days. When done right, I see no down side.

Three things I think that do matter from vendor to vendor:

1) how well the design deals with potential RF and electric curcuit noise that I have heard can be an issue if not dealt with properly. Rowland and Bel Canto seem to do this aspect of things very well.

2) how well the amp integrates with tube pre-amps that tend to have higher output impedances than SS pre-amps

3) the quality of the power supply to the internal ICE module

The better vendors seem to have a handle on these issues. Lesser vendors may not.

My choice boiled down between Wyred + Bel Canto. Wryed was the best value overall and BEl Canto appeared to be the best designed overall for lowest cost (used), though still quite a bit pricier than Wyred.

Wyred seems to be the best buy out there, especially for those with tube pre-amps in that they adapt the standard ICE module to match impedance better there, which is a worthwhile enhancement to help keep distortion minimal if you have a tube pre.

I suspect for those with SS pre-amps, there are even better bargains out there from companies that essentially just put the standard ICE module in a box.

I have not had an opportunity to a/b different Class D amps. Having auditioned a lot of systems and amps over the years, I am 100% satisfied with the BEl CAnto ref1000 mkiis thus far though I can say. Not sure what more I could ask for?

I will agree that the Wyred amps are the best value in the class D arena. I have had the SX500 monos in my system now for a few weeks and the improvement is night and day over my old class a/b amp. They are extremely quiet, system had a hum with my old amp and that has disappeared after adding the Wyreds. I chose Wyred due to the custom input stage, as well as the fact that they also perform modification to the modules themselves. If you have power hungry speakers you really can't go wrong with class D technology.

For home theater, you would be hard pressed to find a better price performer than the now discontinued NHT Power 5 Amplifier. 5 channels at 200W per channel Class D. Incredibly silent, powerful, accurate and cool running.

My dealer friend recommends Digital Amplifier Company if going with Class D. IHO, it's best Class D amp on the market ... best Spectron, Rowland ... You can bridge 2 amps so it has enough power to drive any speaker.

It mates well with tube preamps. In auditions, customers keep asking where is the SET amp and couldn't believe it's a Class D amp.

Digital Amplifier Company only sells direct with a 30 days return policy and he gets no commission so just a strong recommendation.

http://www.digitalamp.com/