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Competitive class D amp suggestions

I have been Class D fun since a few years ago when i bought my first class D amp. I like the concept, in general, and all the attractive features of this class of amplifiers. I tried 4 different ones, currently i  stayed with one of them that i consider to be the best among all four amps. I do enjoy and like it. At the same time,  my 5 watts SET amplifier (with more than 100 times higher distortion according to the specs) gives more natural and (surprisingly) notably cleaner sound (THD of the class D amp is 0.001). The soundstage  of the class D amp is not so bad but that of the tube one is still better.   

I remain attracted by class D amps though. 

Any fresh suggestions on reasonably priced class D amps (i mean excluding  non-reasonably priced class D amps, e.g., Merrill amplifiers)?

Any comments on non-reasonably priced class D amps are also welcome (so far i was not able to audition many class D amps and am curious if there are some which could really compete with Class A). 

128x128niodari

Showing 4 responses by smargo

smargo's avatar
smargo
50 posts
 
I have the "peachtree gan" and after 1 month i can honestly say that this amp is a high end amp. Very subtle - Not in your face at all - doesnt call attention to itself. Embracing - Good - Direct (In a nice way)
smargo's avatar
smargo
50 posts
 

"how would you characterize, roughly, sonic differences between Ncore, Purifi and GaN amps ? Why you decided to try Peachtree 400 if you already had another GaN module amp? "

 

My Peachtree Gan sells  for $3000 - My Nad amp is purifi at $1,999 - I previously had the cherry desktop version "stereo amp" - In my opinion - the peachtree is the more sophisticated sound of the 3 - More grown up - More high end - The nad is good sounding as well - the cherry amp - id have to place 3rd - and if you didnt know any better - you would think the cherry and nad are fine and dandy.

The Nad sounds very good to me  The nad tries to be high end - but it is not - its more of "im the nad and i use purifi and i sound good - im here and why would you think there is something better then me

But the peachtree doesnt care what you think - its the older brother - with more of sophistication to its sound. again i have said it a thousand times but the peachtree is definitely the "high end" one - its very subtle and very clear and you dont get wowed by it - but its the more long term sound you can live with - without having the need so much to see whats even better still

smargo's avatar
smargo
50 posts
 

for you to say that the peachtree is far behind the purifi is kinda ridiculous - this has not been my experience - at least compared to the nad purifi. i thought what sounds better in the long term  - is the most important criteria - 

smargo's avatar
smargo
50 posts
 

ghdprentice:

i probably have said that im not in the market for a new amp - about 100 times - until i hear an amp that i really like a lot - its amazing how sound quality - if its good - changes my mind about not being in the market for something - if enough people really like it - im all ears and my wallet is more than open - within reason

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