Digital amps overhyped ?

It's not "digital", just a switching power supply. ICEPower is a Class D-like circuit licensed from B&O and is maturing into the basis very good amplifier option. (Many makers greatly modify the ICEPower unit). If you like the Classe' then go for it. Others to consider are Jeff Rowland Design Group, Bel Canto, Spectron and a few others.

Generally, they provide high performance. Don't worry about the operation mode, since it's sound that you're after. Does it match well with the requirements of your speakers should really be your first consideration.

I love my Rowland Continuum 500 integrated amp, driving Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand speakers. The Aerials are great speakers that should benefit from a powerful amp.

Dave

I said "Spectron" in my post and meant "Spectral". Sorry.

Dave

Regarding burn-in, I left Rowland Continuum 500 playing music 24/7 for two weeks to achieve 300-hours, from which point I've noted no further improvement. It's easy to set the volume down to where it's barely audible and just let it run a CD on repeat.

BTW, the Continuum 500 runs around 120-degrees in the armoire where I have it installed. That's much warmer than most ICEPower units, thanks to the Power Factor Correction unit intergral to the C500. Most ICEPower amps DO require more time to burn-in than the Continuum.

Dave