2. amps-preamps
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Class D = Trash?

So, I'm on my second class D amp. The first one, a Teac AI-301DA which claimed to use an ICE module, was unlistenable trash. I burned it in for a few weeks, it just couldn't perform, so I sent it back. Following that, I tried the new Emotiva A-300 (class A/B). It was significantly better, but lacking in too many ways for my tastes. So I changed gears, got an 845 SET from China -- and it was an immediate and massive improvement.

So, before I went further down the SET road, I wanted to try a better class D product using a modern class D module. I settled on the D-Sonic M3-800S with the Pascal module and custom input stage. I read from reviews that these things like to have big cables, so I picked up an eBay 8 gauge power cable (Maze Audio, el-cheapo Oyaide copy plugs, braided 4-wire cable) to go along with it.

Mid-range GONE.
Soundstage depth CRUSHED.
Euphonics DISAPPEARED.

Yes, resolution went up. Driver control went up, allowing me to play compressed rock/pop and orchestra with the speakers being able to render it all. But enjoyment in the sound is basically gone. Using my best power cable (LessLoss Original) improved performance, but didn't fundamentally change the amp's nature. I ran back to my headphones (Focal Utopias) to detox my ear canals.

So, how long does a class D need to burn-in? I want to give it a fair shake before writing the technology off forever. 
madavid0

Showing 3 responses by astewart8944

astewart8944
499 posts
 
I commend OP for the headline. It doesn't definitely say D amps are trash; it asks the question does D=trash. And then the body details his negative D amp experiences and poses the basic question: How long will burn in take before his D amp sounds better with his speakers. Guidocorona finally seeks to directly answer this question almost 16 hours after it is first posted. In between that time there's some informative posts that include the possibility/probability that it might not ever happen with his speakers. It's one of the reasons I continue to read the forums.
Peace
astewart8944
499 posts
 
In reading the commentary concerning @guidocorona and tracking break in I offer this. I recently bought a new Jeff Rowland Continuum S2. I hooked it up and it sounded really good immediately out the box...then it didn't sound as good as it did. Gulp. I read Guido's posts about Rowland's seemingly very long break in time. I followed his advice and ran the JRCS2 all day and all night. I listened to it at intervals in between. Guido accurately forecasted my qualitative listening experience. I just passed the 500 hour break in mark and the sound quality has improved markedly. The JRCS2 now sounds fuller, more detailed, pretty close to the Rowland amp sound I heard at AXPONA in the Joseph Audio/Rowland room. Granted that was a Daemon, with an obscene amount of power (1500W/channel) compared to the Continuum S2 (400W/channel), but Guido's experience, shared on this forum, matched my own regarding Rowland amps. Whatever he's doing and however he is doing it seems to provide valuable insight regarding Rowland amps in my experience. 
astewart8944
499 posts
 
Hi Guido, George's picture is of a JR Model 102S. Looks like it is in Sydney.
Regards
Al
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