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
128x128falconquest
Hi Ric - Hope you’re staying saldé. See, the heaviest hand in anyone’s shoulder is the one followed by of the utterance old: “I told you so”. I’m sure you will not remember when I hinted there would be possible new ‘tweaks’ to your 1200 and your response was: “I doubt it”. Anyway I’m enjoying my unit. So, are you modding it to the next level. Please advise. Best regards
Manny

Manny, next level tweaks for out beloved and bespoked 1200s?


Where did you hear this?
Ric - Maybe I misunderstood the post regarding the VTV Purify was a possible tweek for the 1200. Kindly enlight me as I may have it all wrong. Manny 
I went from:

Parasound P7 / A23s

to

P7 / IcePower 250 ASP

to

Luxman 507ux

The first change was audibly neutral. I could not tell the difference between the Parasound A23s and the equivalent IcePower modules, for the good and the bad.

I switched to Luxman because:

  • Meters! < grin >
  • Tube-like midrange- Better extension in the bass and treble- Transparent tone controls (which the P7 did not fully have)


All of these to me sounded better than Pass, which to me sounds lean and scratchy, as if I’m listening to a dirty record even when the source is digital. Did I switch from IcePower to Luxman because Class A/B was better than D? Absolutely not. My trials with Parasound and IcePower proved those two models were simply indistinguishable. And this was the real problem. In retrospect the A23s and IcePower module were too warm and syrupy. The Luxman more open and made the previous two feel constrained.


In retrospect I can't really say if the character of the Parasound/IcePower was really due to the amps or the preamp itself.  It might have been.



Hope this helps,

Erik