Class D amps that are superior to all or most?

If you are contemplating having Ric mod your class D amp, have no fear. I am one of the few lucky people who bought his EVS 1200 when he was making them. I still love Love LOVE it

@ricevs

wait, what? Did I read your closing comment to George correctly? Are you back making the EVS 1200s?

and you can have a dual mono stereo modified version (remember.....1200 watts into 4 ohm.....drove the Alexx speakers fine) for a little over $2000 delivered to your door.

Over the decades, I owned numerous class Ds several from W4S, then Emerald Physics 100.2SEs with custom fuses, then Audio Alchemy DPA -1, PS Audio M700s, and for ~ 1.5 years (long before PS Audio introduced the M1200s), I have owned a EVS 1200. At the time I bought it (30 day trial) I was anticipating getting a LSA Voyager GaN amp to compare. Well, shipping has still been delayed (though now supposedly shipping by the end of this month MSRP $3000; May 2021), much of the delay with CoV, not being able to get parts from china and numerous issues discovered when firing up the earlier mules, so...

It has been reported that several of the available uber expensive GaN amps sound overly warm, which for me is no bueno! How does the Audion stack up, I will likely never know

What I can say is the Voyager has its work cut out for it as the EVS 1200 stands tall, very tall indeed. Of late there are 3 reviews of the PSA M1200s (MSRP $6000) all extremely positive, and all missing out on EVS’s amazing pixie dust. But ric is no longer making them (or is he?), and the 200/400wpc Voyager has a very attractive MSRP

Yesterday my EVS 1200 just got way more holographic. When I operate my oppo 105 direct, it bypasses the Audio Alchemy DDP-1 dac. I  have been thinking about reconnecting my optical cable for a long time, but figured doing so would negate my ability to play SACDs (yet to be determined), but did so yesterday. I have to research which cable I have, it's red and likely a low end Wire World, but DAMN. Almost too rich but definitely the music is more out into the room

hth

@toddk31 

Nice to hear from a fellow EVS1200 owner. In my experience it sounds significantly better without the Kubes and the top OFF. I bought a cheap AC filter to keep dust out. I also have Machina Dynamica springs for isolation. Also, PCs can make a big difference

hth

FYI Premium offers a 15 day money back. If returned customer is responsible for shipping both ways. Since they are small and light weight, that should be a no brainer
hth

My personal experience might shed insight as to why many class D amps might not live up to their hype


https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/digital-cables-optical-coax-bnc-or-a-simple-rca-interconnect

hth

@mglik

I am enjoying a similar revelation (hearing real people and real instruments), though I didn’t spend big money for my EVS1200 (~$2300) and though I have raved about it for the past almost 2 years, I am experiencing it with a whole new level of appreciation. Ditto my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 dac/pre + PS 5 outboard power supply

I wish I could properly thank the person who headed me in the right direction to move on from my optical cable to Coax, but, alas, I don’t recall who :(. Being frugal, I started with Pangea Premier SE 1.0m (on sale at Audio Advisor for $49.95). When I mentioned it in my thread I was told minimum 1.5m is desired. Well from other companies each 0.5m length increase is $50+++, whereas the Pangea is only $10 more, so it’s on its way. It should arrive by Saturday which will give me ample time to break in the 1.0m, though it sounds amazing after just one hour of play

EVS is no longer making the EVS 1200, but has other class D amp tweaks that many can afford

hth

While the 1.5m SE 6 was much better, I went for the Pangea XL. It sounded better than the 1.5 , but I then saw the XL was only $150, so I returned the 1.5m SE. It took about 50 hours to break in. WOW. By far the best $150 Ive spent in many years

My EVS 1200 has dual muting switches. Will muting them be as effective?

@ricevs

So, does muting my EVS1200 have a benefit, and if so how often and for how long?

@ricevs 

Thanks Ric. I am supposed to be getting the long awaited Voyager soon, but until I actually hear it I cannot say whether I will also keep my beloved EVS1200. Keep in mind my room volume is HUGE, and so far I have needed big power to properly energize this room
Also I am 73, so even though I expect to live well beyond my mid eighties, will my ears be as discerning then as they are now?

@kuribo


Really?