i love my tube preamp with my class D monoblocks. i haven't heard loads of gear, but the tube pre seems to add that bit of warmth and a sense of the sound being tangible that may be missing with straight class D amps. though i really should try them with a passive pre, just to hear their true nature..
i'm running ghent audio monoblocks, which apparently use 2 ICEpower ASP modules in each amp putting out 500w/channel into my 4ohm floorstanders. the preamp is a modest dared mc7-p.
the build quality of the amps is very solid. excellent cmc binding posts and rca jacks, solid housing.. and the sound! my speakers have side firing 12" woofers and these amps control those drivers like it's their job. because it is. but they do it well and with authority. the separation of sounds is equally incredible and i'm constantly amazed at the raw power my ghents deliver along with delicate detail effortlessly floating on top.
good stuff! |
Guido, my speakers are barely even on the audiophile radar. I have a pair of rbh sound 1266 se/r. Up top there’s a mtm arrangement with a scanspeak tweeter and proprietary mids. They sound lovely with big, tight bass. I’ve always been a fan of narrow, tall floor standers with side firing woofers. Before these I had a pair of JBL L7s.
Erik, my preamp is a dared mc7-p. I’m considering trying the new schiit pre, but then I’d need a phono pre and I don’t know if I even want to open that door. |
Erik - those mytek DAC/PREs look lovely. I don't need a lot of inputs, but I also listen primarily to vinyl and don't have lots of high res files, so it would seem to me that I'd be paying good money for something that has features I'd hardly use. My other concern is buying a DAC bundled with anything when the tech seems to change rather quickly. Then again, maybe that's less of an issue than I worry it is...
Thoughts? |
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I love this thread. Thanks again Erik, for starting it and Guido for being such a solid foil. |
@georgehifi whatever dude, you're just a hater, get out of here.
Just kidding. You've proven yourself to be a topnotch human in this thread. We know you're not enamored with current class d and you've very respectfully and clearly outlined why based on theory and experience. So I can respect that and do.
What I find annoying are the people bashing class d (or anything, really) without having given it a listen. Don't speak on what you don't know. If only Mr President would follow that advice.. |
@autre maybe the amps had different input impedences? |
I’m so jealous of how much great gear you guys get to hear. For me, I get to l listen to what I have. That’s it.
Good thing I love what I have!
I’m a bunch of posts late, but my Ghent audio monoblocks were only $600 used and can be had for $1000 new. Hardly eye watering prices. |
Ha! Thanks for the vote of confidence, Erik.
Kdude - I'm only jealous that people get to hear all these amazing pieces of equipment. I'm curious, more than anything. But when I choose a piece of gear, I tend to stick with it for years. I am a content human. Messing around with my system is fun, but I certainly do not have upgrade-itis. Thank Buddha!
The Ghents replaced a crown xls 1500, which replaced a NAD integrated. Can't remember which one, unfortunately. I'll look next time I'm at its current home.
Any amp after these will probably be some kind of class d kit..
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That's not a valid argument. With a new technology, why would established manufacturers be better at implementation than those who helped develop the technology? |
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I love the idea of a class D website, but to what purpose? Reviewing, comparing, contrasting? Or all of that plus sales?
It sounds like fun, but also like a lot of work.. though getting a steady stream of amps to review could lessen the pain.
I’m curious now about the sound of lower power vs higher power amps at low volume. I may have to try a little Dayton audio class D one evening, though it may be meaningless to compare a $60 amp to a $1000 amp and expect any sort of meaningful conclusions.
Also - Al, glad you caught that reference! |
@autre I won't pretend to be smarter than I am.. I don't understand why it matters either, but preamps have a characteristic output impedance and amps have a characteristic input impedance. If memory serves me right, the amp input imp should be 10x higher (or more) than the preamp output imp. Having them too close can apparently cause the system to sound off or cause an increase in noise.
Anyone with more detailed knowledge, PLEASE addend or add! |
@lalitk I've a tube pre used in conjunction with my class D monoblocks. I absolutely love this combo. Beautiful, lush detail with loads of power and control.
If you don't mind me asking, how the heck are you going to bi amp without a crossover? I do hope you get there.. |
One thing I do not agree with Putzeys on is that reality is logical. Reality IS. We can understand it logically, emotionally, sexually, spiritually, intuitively.. or, hopefully, all of the above and more. |
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@confuse_upgradeitis - I used a crown xls1500 for about two years. This past winter I bought a used pair of Ghent audio class D monoblocks here on Audiogon. I was sceptical, since their power ratings were the same, but I was getting too curious about what, if anything, would sound different from my crown.
What I’ve heard is an improvement in clarity, sound source separation, a reduction in harshness and an increase in bass clarity and smoothness. In addition, the sound stage is deeper and wider.
Now, all of these differences took a few days, maybe a week, to discern. So, while it was a significant improvement, it wasn’t a quantum leap and I still greatly respect what the crown brought to my system for $325 brand stinking new.
I did, however, go from a stereo amp to monos, so I can’t speak as to what improvements were due to a better amp and what were due to moving to monos. |
I opened the case up... It's crowded in there. Ain't no way I'm fixing anything on that board. And they changed the design of the monos, so I can't seem to buy just one.. ugh. New amps, I guess. Anyone need a subwoofer amp? |
So, a lovely resolution and a mystery have presented themselves..
My amp, after barely functioning the morning after my screw up, works perfectly now. I put it back in, just to triple check that it is the amp, not the pre, and it's back to normal. I did disconnect the input connector and reseat it, as well as remove the fuse, check it and reinstall it. At any rate, yay!
As for the mystery, I bought these from an Audiogon seller who said they were Ghent audio monos. When I opened the case, though, these amps each have one ICEpower 500 asp module, not the 2 ICEpower 200 ASP modules per amp that Ghent uses. So these are not Ghent monoblocks.. I guess someone built these themselves using Ghent cases.
Interesting.. |
It is peculiar, no? I don’t spend ANY time on tube amp or SS amp threads telling them how their preferred choice of amplification is inferior. |
@migueca - let us know how you find them. I think you'll love them. I have some mystery monoblock class D amps that I love. Before that I had a Crown class D amp that was a great performer. But the switch to consumer monoblocks brought way more clarity, definition and power. I also have a Dayton audio class D I use for outside. It sounds great hooked up to good speakers, but these serious class D amps obviously trample all over it in terms of.. everything.
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