Two, very interesting but lots of competition for Class D at $10k
Discussion of Class D Amps Application & Experiences
With all the time off that our current situation has allowed recently, I became intrigued by the idea of class D amplification. I have always been against this type of amplifier but the more I have read the more I have also learned. There are lots of threads here on this subject many of which result in arguments about which amplifier class is better. I do not want to do that here. As I consider a class D amp I need to let you know that I currently use a fairly powerful class A/B SS amp and pre-amp into an efficient pair of speakers rated at 4 ohms. My choice of equipment has always been focused on musicality over absolute detail. I want the music to sound natural and not sterile. I seem to have achieved that sound. If I switched to class D amplification that would also be my intended goal although a bit more refined detail would be fine. I have considered pairing the amp with a tube pre to help achieve my desired sound. So why would I change? My goal would be to save money over my current gear while maintaining my desired sound.
I have researched brands such as Nord, Primare, AGD & Nuprime. I have also looked at brands such as Jeff Rowland & Merrill but those are way out of my price range. My target would be $6000 - $7000 or less. I'm about performance not price. So given that background information I would like to hear from those who have made the leap, what your experience has been (likes and dislikes), what amp did you replace and any comments about one brand over the other. Your experience with demos etc. Do you use a tube or SS line stage?
Thanks
I have researched brands such as Nord, Primare, AGD & Nuprime. I have also looked at brands such as Jeff Rowland & Merrill but those are way out of my price range. My target would be $6000 - $7000 or less. I'm about performance not price. So given that background information I would like to hear from those who have made the leap, what your experience has been (likes and dislikes), what amp did you replace and any comments about one brand over the other. Your experience with demos etc. Do you use a tube or SS line stage?
Thanks
Showing 7 responses by mapman
Some class D amps are extremely boring, some are bass shy (usually older units) and others sound extremely musical (mostly newer units). Of course the same could be said about any amp design type in general. That’s why it’s best to not generalize. No two amps of any particular type are created equal. They all run the gamut. Point is Class D CAN compete. That’s all. Also I agree newer in general is better than older as is the case always with any newer and still more evolving technology. Also cost is NOT necessarily the best determining factor as usual. Even my tiny $75 Fosi Class D amp (about the size of a pack of cigarettes) with its tiny Texas Instruments Class D chip competes very well with anything else I have heard ever up for up to a few hundred dollars and will beat most vintage amps that sold for 2-5X more 40 years ago in a package 1/10th the size and the Bluetooth even works well enough for most if not the most critical 2-channel applications. That’s how technology and progress works! Can you believe we still use the same primitive disk-groove-based-like-riding-a-roller-coaster approach for records and playing them that was first invented well over 100 years ago? What’s up with that? Try singing or playing a violin while riding a roller coaster sometime. |
I use power conditioning with all my gear but not the amps. No need. They are dead quiet with delicate detail. Not an issue with a good Class D design these days I find. The ref1000ms do draw a lot of current at power up so there is that to consider though I leave mine on most of the time. Yes I have heard the Joseph Audio Pulsars at a show with BC Class D amps as I recall. KEF ls50s I run off them in one room reminds me of those though I use a powered sub also with the little KEFs. |
My other Class D amps (in addition to afore-mentioned Bel Canto ref1000m monoblocks in my main setup) are:
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I would not switch just to switch unless there is something specific about Class D that appeals to you? I’ve been running Bel Canto ref1000m Class D amps now for a number of years and still could not be happier. I did this because I wanted to throw the kitchen sink in terms of drive ability at my speakers which are known to benefit from that. I wanted something capable and good sounding that was also not too big, heavy and hard to deal with. Budget was limited but these fall into your price category at least the original retail price, though I acquired used for a discount in order to give it a try. Still couldn’t be happier. If Class D did not work out I probably would have investigated building a smaller system around tubes but feel no need to explore those waters since. I’ve added other lesser Class D amps in other systems since. It’s the only way I go now. I do use a Audio Research sp16 tube pre-amp with my ref1000m Class D amps and think that is a very good way to go if one does not mind having to deal with maintaining a handful of tubes from time to time and the specific amp used has higher input impedance 60Kohm or higher for use with a tube pre-amp. No tubes in my 3 other setups built around Class D and those are all similarly good as well within their significantly lower drive limits (and cost). |