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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 gregkohanmim

gregkohanmim
153 posts
 
Madavid0 - I wasn't familiar with your speakers but went ahead and read through as many reviews that I could find about them.  It seems that the consensus is that these speakers really only sound their best with tube amplification (of quality) and one reviewer even started with class D and was disappointed until hooking up a master amp (which I know that you're trying to avoid).

Perhaps you will need to go on the hunt for another set of speakers that mate well with the type of amplification you're comfortable pursuing based on size and budget.

BTW - I don't think that a mismatch between speakers and amplifier is  reason to dismiss the entire class D topology as trash.

As Dan says above - hope to find what you're looking for.

Greg
gregkohanmim
153 posts
 
Astewart - I will always read these threads because I'll always learn something.

In this case I learned that in one person's opinion:

  • Chane 1.4s, garbage 
  • Zu Omen Mk.II -- good dyanmics, okay-ish resolution, forward but shallow soundstage. 
  • Fritz Carbon 7 - Need to be run with tubes (based on reviews I researched)

And that if you're on a tight budget to get a good amplifier match to run Fritz bookshelf speakers in a pinch that Chinese copies available on eBay aren't that bad.

Actually - Here's what I learned:

Everyone has their own personal taste and idea of what "perfect" or "horrible" sound is.  Have also observed that these biases probably come from some other source, reason or event unrelated to the product itself (room, hearing, what you grew up liking, budget, etc.).

Good thing, is that there's something for everyone and all the fun is in pursuing your perfect sound and system within your ever-changing budget.

Happy to have a forum where we can openly discuss our own preferences and experiences with the very infrequent d*ck ruining everyone else's good time and enjoyment of their music and systems (literally I can count them on one hand).  

The vast majority of people here are true enthusiasts and very gracious.

As for burn-in...  Yes, burn in is a factor but if you don't like the sound (at least a little) "out of the box", it's doubtful you ever will even if the sound is correct and perfect for someone else.

Greg

gregkohanmim
153 posts
 
Madavid0 - 

Have you considered the possibility that A) you have very neutral and revealing speakers plus B) a highly detailed and resolving amp could mean that C) perhaps you're just now able to hear the quality of the source recordings that you haven't before?

I remember when I first setup my highly revealing and resolving system how many recordings I used to enjoy sounded poor (accurate) and how many I had previously dismissed sounded great (accurate).

Give your ears time to burn in as well.

Greg

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