Digital amplifier fans, NAD C298 Purifi Eigentakt

Topping PA5 new Class D advanced design. Clips at 110wpc@8ohms. Ranks just below the Benchmark AHB2 for 1/10 the price. $349! Why pay more?

I did look the Topping up based on a comment you've made previously. Pretty cool, but a little lite in the wattage department. 

I would highly suggest the same, honestly with class D amps I have never been a big fan.  I have never gotten to deep into all the modules so I dont want to use a few comparisons to generalize the whole thing.

The fact is you are dipping your feet, so I think that topping is a great way to go.  Even with the additional cables you will need it's totally worth it, and according to what most people say it doesn't have that class D sound that most people do not like.

Lastly to that, you must remember when it comes to power you need massive amounts to make a difference.  I am not an audio expert, but just touching on the subject.  If you had a 100 watts to get double the volume you need 1000 watts, it's a 10 fold scale.  

In addition to that, you must realize your amplifier is honestly only really using so much power at a given time.  It's far less than what you think, so if you already got a 100 watts turned up to max volume and that's not loud enough for you than going 300 watts would give you about a 30% increase in potential sound and 500 watts would give you a 50% increase.

Now that may not sound loud to you, but if youre getting a 100 db out the speaker and now you got 130 youre probably going to def on prolong periods of that.  This is just a rounded hypothetical situation to help you further grasp the concept.

PSAudio M700 mono blocks just over 3K. 350 watts @ 8 ohm, 700 watts @ 4 ohm. 

Here you go. https://www.peachtreeaudio.com/products/gan400

Though you'd be better off looking at Cherry amps and Orchard Audio amps.

To be clear, the 'D' of class D does not mean 'digital'. All class D amplifiers are analog; if not, its not a class D amp.

JKJK: Understood on the power requirements...I was thinking if I like the amp a lot, I generally like watts in the event I purchase very inefficient speakers. Probably overkill and I'm not likely to buy such speakers, but I'm sometimes a bit illogical😊

Russ: I'll take a look at the ps audio, thanks!

twoleftears: I'll look at those as well.

atmosphere: Yes, I've read that class D does not mean digital. I'm not super electronically inclined, but I think if I saw the waveform going to the speaker, it would be a regular old sign wave like A/B, tube etal. At least I think so🤔

What I find kind of intriguing is the low energy consumption, small footprint and the alleged maturing of the technology with regard to sound quality.

Just had a pair of PSA M700 delivered yesterday.  Will be trying them out this weekend. If you want a bargin check out  TMR . They have a  set of PSA m77, Belcanto e1 ref600m,  and Wyred for Sound 1000r for sale. The WFS has the biggest wattage output. 

@61falcon Good luck with your search...I wouldn't stress on all the data sheet marketing details.   

I have been using Class D for over 10 years.   Anyone that wants to promote legacy A, A/B, tube stuff needs to retire and tend to their gardens.  Sorry.....

Same thing for all our politicians...hah.

We are lucky to design a new dedicated room/rooms with our new house build.  There are so many options and we have the ability to try most of them.  

My current reference is Purifi.  I have had several NAD products, but would recommend other options using their technology.  

Please remember Class D is not digital, funny all the legacy folks like to convolute the discussion. 

Look at some of the new GaN stuff.  Currently a huge price difference on what you can buy currently.  Will be interesting who gains market share.

Sir,

About 6 months ago, I auditioned the C298 in place of my tube/solid state hybrid amp and was amazed, to say the least.  Then, after trying it out and straining to not "jump the gun" and just buy it, I read both Robert Harley's and Kalman Rubinson's reviews of the amp and was astounded at how precisely they described what I had in fact experienced when I had it in my system.  I am a reviewer skeptic, to say the least, but this really surprised me. 

Moreover, as far as power, I sure recommend that you look at the power specs in the Stereophile Tests as well as others on the web about this guy. I could never want for more and it has a very decent load to handle in my system.

FYI, I am running a PSA Directstream DAC directly into my C298 with Kimber Select interconnects and driving 13 feet of biwired Audioquest into a pair of Vandersteen Treo CT's.

Best money i have ever spent on this crazy hobby in many decades.  Good luck with your choice, whatever it is.  I believe Class D amps have really become remarkable choices.

jedi1, that is one positive review! Nice to hear from folks that own the unit. I'm still doing some research, but the C298 is high on my list. 

 I have some indecision however that relates to the continued evolution of the D technology and the possibility of price reductions due to increase sales volume. Perhaps I'm being naive with the price reduction aspect...

I wish Audiogon and other audio forums would have a subcategory of amplifiers dedicated to class D. There may well be reasons they do not break it down to that level, but trying to find information specific to D-amps requires a lot of winnowing down amplifiers not in the category.

I wish Audiogon and other audio forums would have a subcategory of amplifiers dedicated to class D. There may well be reasons they do not break it down to that level, but trying to find information specific to D-amps requires a lot of winnowing down amplifiers not in the category.

One of the problems you're up against is that the sound of class D amps varies as much as the difference between tube and solid state. Depending on what people have heard, you see really variable comments- some people will never try one again, having heard something dreadful (and rightfully so) and others have had the luck to have heard (likely one of the more recent) class D amps that really tick all the boxes.

20 years ago class D was a joke. It isn't that way any more. I'm of the opinion that any amp manufacturer that doesn't make a class D amp will get left behind in short order.

Atmosphere says in plain English what I am slowly finding out: The D amps have a lot of different sound signatures so simply buying a D amp, at least for me, is not as easy as I thought it would be. 

FYI.....you might want to look at 10 audio.com.....he reviewed the C298 and did not think it was that great......then he reviewed another amp from VTV with additonal mods (from me) that uses the same Purifi module........he likes it much better.  Everything you do makes a sonic difference.  If you think you know what a class D....or an IcePower or a Purifi or whatever sounds like by listening to one example.....then you are not really wanting to KNOW.....This game is infinite.....Enjoy.