Class D is just Dandy!

It would seem many here hold their own share of beliefs and agendas either in favor of or against Class-D for a variety of reasons - certainly predictable and all too common to have some sort of investment in a particular design principle, sometimes based more in theorizing than drawn from actual listening sessions.

Perhaps in an effort to counterbalance my own inexperience and skepticism, or even prejudice against Class-D designs in regards to successful implementation with very high efficiency loudspeakers (+100dB’s), does anyone here have practical experience in this regard and how this combo plays out? Typical "wisdom" seems to have it that Class-D designs are less favorable within the first watt of usage compared to Class-A designs - not least SET’s/SIT’s - and are therefore considered the poorer match with very high efficiency speakers. Is there any merit to this in the eyes (ears) among those with actual experience here, or is it a field laden predominantly with theory as to how things ’should’ (as opposed to how that actually ’do’) pan out?

@celo --

MC² Audio.

Some 30 years ago bought my first Class A power amp (42W pure Class A). 7-8 years later, out of sheer curiosity, I initiated a period of using Class D-based amps, from ICEpower, NuForce and others. I liked the NuForce variants the best. Then about 15 years ago I returned to Class A with a Belles amp (SA-30), and preferred it over the more popular Pass amp variants (Pass amps in general are too polite/polished or even boring sounding to my ears - I just don’t find them to sound natural but too "hifi" somehow).

The Belles Class A amp is the amp I’ve owned for the longest time - within any reasonable amount of money (easily up to $20k) I haven’t heard anything better. That is, until just a few years ago when I replaced the Belles amp with Class A/B amps from a british manufacturer of pro use studio amps, as to my surprise I actually preferred the latter. I’ve never heard amps less "intrusive" and more balanced sounding, with an equally and naturally analogue, tonally accurate and resolved sound than these. To boot: they’re very powerful.

What’s to make of all this from an amp topology perspective, I can’t say. I’d love to try out Class D again at some point and see where it’s gotten so far, but having now found the Class A/B amps referred to earlier I’m not in any hurry nor the least inclined as is to seek out something new here. When/if I do get to that point however, Class D will get its chance - yet again.

@celo wrote:

Thanks @phusis I wonder what the model is. I am always interested in under the radar products.

I am guessing the HSE line and they are SUPER expensive. WOW!

I am referring to the T-series, that share the Class A/B topology and specific design with the S-series, and that sound virtually identical - also compared to HSE-series with regular speaker terminals and a polished front plate that is aimed at the hifi-market.

I've heard the T-2000 directly against the S-1400, and any very slight differences there were likely had to do with the S-1400 not being fully run-in yet. Two of us, when pressed for a favorit, preferred the T-2000 for a more well-rounded presentation, and one found the low end on the S-1400 a wee bit more firm and thus more to his liking, but it was splitting hairs. 

So, no need to go super expensive here - certainly not if one's ears are the final judges. 

@celo wrote:

I am very very impressed with this amp. It is stupid powerful but that’s not why I like it. It is super balanced. Detailed sound, big soundstage, the instruments sound like live almost, very good vocals.

Great that you like its sound! What speakers are you running them with?

However, the fans. Ohh those stupid loud fans!

I replaced the built-in fans with low noise Arctic dittos. Noctua fans is another option, and while some of them they don’t shift as much air as the Arctic’s (a potential problem with high wattage usage) their noise floor is a bit lower even. Consult MC² Audio for advice with regard to fan replacement. I had mine delivered by the company to a pro dealer I know well and who’s importing the amps, and this way the fans were fitted with the right wire socket type.