Discussion of Class D Amps Application & Experiences

I see the class D crowd is alive and well, GOOD. I’ve have Ice units
Wyred 4 Sound SX1000 and Rs, Powerful but really lack the luster of the Hypex units. Though when coupled with a lively valve preamp it does help a lot.

The stock Hypex boards came with options that Ice boards didn’t have at the time without mods.

Hypex NC500/1200 and NC2k have buffer boards that come from the factory with standard op amps and voltage regulators,
Nord and VTV, BOTH offer bufferboard upgrades on their unit.
It is night and day with discrete class a op amps and discrete voltage regulators. The upgrades are 175-425.00 depending on the op amps you choose per monoblock unit.
It also gives you the option to customise your units with op amps rolls.
Sparco, Sonic Imagery, VTV, and a few more. Usually 150-350 for a pair of tricked out, op amps. If you already have the socketed boards

I had both with and without, the board upgrades. All of my units now have
the rev. C or D from Nord. The revision D from Nord or VTV (VTV have a gain select option) have dual sockets
(2 different footprints) for more versatility.

I only look at who made the boards, who made the case (do you like the design and case options, trigger, XLR and RCA, binding post) and do they have optional bufferboard. If they don’t, it’s simple, don’t buy them.

I opened 4-6 of the better known brands, all have either soldered in a different (not always better) opamp or bought buffer boards from, (LOL)
Nord or VTV.  Normally at 2 to 3 times the price, TO YOU..

A Hypex MB should be from 850.00-1500.00 depending on wattage, option on the bufferboards, and case options.

A shinny case alone can cost you 2000.00 more, and get a whole lot
LESS under the hood so to speak.

The boards are the same...Make sure you get the largest PS options too, it’s only a few buck and a few of the big names squeeze there, LOOK make sure..

Your budget will get you a long way into a great system, with valves included. A pre with valves or a combo of both. Tube front end sure sweetens the mix for sure. I love um’ ZERO floor noise.

Enjoy

djones511,651 posts04-23-2020 10:08amI wouldn't worry to much about the op amp the stock TI LM 4562 will measure right there with any discrete sparkos or sonic imagery.

I don't know your background, I don't know you. I hope you read
this.

This is from my ears to this forum, I'm very familiar, with the LM4562 NEC, E.I. T.I, op amps. played with them all, rolled them all.  ALL the discretes, I sampled, the SO was much better, even the Burson with the high failure rate due to poor regulator choice and potting problems.  

I worked with Andrew at Sparco labs to resolve some issues with the early Nord buffer boards, and the op amp SM sockets for my Mac
gear, and a few others.

From sparco webb site:

"Our discrete voltage regulators have at least 15 times lower output noise, 52dB (about 300X) better rejection of any noise coming into them, and 4X better load regulation than any other 3 terminal IC regulator that one can find to compare them against."

The regulators are the key to the Class A op amps, without this type of regulator, you can't take FULL advantage of the great discretes available,
or their sonic superiority.

Yamaha, Marantz, B&W, Channel Islands Audio, Meridian, Kharma, MM Audio, and Exodus, and about a dozen more use, Hypex NC modules

The difference in SQ between who does, and who doesn't, is very easy to hear and enjoy.

The comment on "A tube front end" is purely subjective, and you have the right to be WRONG, just as I do. I know how it sounds because I've done Mac, CJ, VTL, Marantz, and two handbuilt line preamps. ALL sounded wonderful, and pure sonic nuggets, with options...

If OPs ears are good, he'll notice the differences and certainly change them if he like. With the op amp/tube roll option, you have a lot of sonic latitude.   

Without those options, what other options do you have, PCs and ICs
No thanks...

Seems to be something djones51 hasn't tried, or, has has he?

WHY would you limit the OP options when it's obvious you, haven't hear the most popular class D boards available, ICE. I use them for bass duty. They are as good as any Hypex without op amp upgrades. For some, that's exactly what they like.. WHY? It's ALL they own. Second some ICE modules have a built in PS, that lets you expand. You can 1 or 2 amp modules depending on the model, at a very low cost. Great option.

SMPS1200 hypex power supply were powering most of 1ET400 amp modules, I listened too. Again not even close to a NCs with buffer board. Apples Oranges...Maybe djones51 listened to something else, DUNO, wasn't real clear.

Second I will only comment on what I've heard. What I've really sat down with. Not a day at a show, or a listening room. normally weeks at least. I read then I listen, and listen and.........

Happy hunting..

Regards

jaytor138 posts

 These amps replaced a Krell FPB-300

I setting here looking at a pair of KSA-100 mk2s, that I LOVE, thinking do I want to listen to ANY, class a, tube, or other HOT running thing.. LOL.
87 degrees here, now.  In a month over 90, then over 100. 

Class d has its place. But it's not a Krell, Pass, Mark L and few more. BUT some of these class d manufactures sure have a hefty price tag. Considering, what's in the box, I think some of the binding post are more expensive than the whole amp module.. 

A majority of my listening is on multi planars, and ribbons, systems. No large surface systems. Different results, compared to most round speaker setups. Class d does the planars justice, for sure, to what degree, is the question..How good is good? it's not perfect, but pretty darn good, it's just COOL..

Regards