Has anyone tried an amp from Class D Audio?

Tonyangel,

I'm using a ClassD Audio SDS440CS amp to drive a pair of Magnepan 2.7qr spkrs. I bought it to replace my older Aragon 4004 class A/B amp that is similar to your 2004. I could not be happier with this amp. It was only $630 and puts out a solid 440 watts @4 ohms and it is very good from top to bottom. I think the CDA designer, Tom Ross, is using some proprietary design that allows this amp to handle low impedance loads. This amp doubles its power when going from 8 ohm to 4 ohm loads, which is unusual for a class D amp at such a budget price. This doubling of power, when the impedance is halved, is typically considered a good indication of a robust power supply in an amp's design.

I would recommend pairing the amp with a tube preamp if you want an organic sounding system with natural bloom and warmth. But, if you prefer a more neutral and accurate presentation, I'd use a solid-state preamp or an ARC tube preamp. From my experience, and from reviews and blogs from users I've read, the CDA amps seem to all have a neutral and accurate sound quality.

I've been using the SDS440, 60% for ht/40% 2-channel music, for the past 5-6 months and thoroughly enjoy this amp for both.

Because your Silverlines are somewhat inefficient, as my spkrs are, I would advise you to consider trying the SDS-440 or the more powerful SDS-470. I can say with confidence that you'll be able to get very good sq even at volumes louder than you'd ever care to listen without distortion, compression and without the amp getting more than merely warm to the touch.

If you decide to give one a try it won't be a big financial risk. CDA offers a 3 week trial period and you'll just be out shipping costs if you decide to return it.

Good luck and please keep us informed.

Thanks,
Tim

Tonyangel,

I would advise you to get the more powerful SDS-440 or SDS-470 amp. The 440 ($630) is 220 watts @ 8 ohms, which is in the middle of your spkr's recommended power of 100-300 watts. The 470($695) is 300 watts @ 8 ohms, which is at the top of the range. Either of these amps, combined with your Marsh solid-state preamp, would give you an accurate and neutral quality. which is what you said you like. Your spkrs are small but somewhat inefficient at 88.5 db at 1 watt input. I think having extra power (over your Aragon's 100 watts) would result in an effortless and relaxed presentation with plenty of headroom.

Personally, this combo would probably be too neutral and accurate for my taste, but it may fit your taste quite well. If you do feel it's a bit too neutral and accurate, you might want to switch to a tube preamp.

An alternative, if it's within your budget, is the Bella Musica Ibrido hybrid amp at $1,895. I've never heard this amp but it looks very interesting. It pairs a tubed input stage with a class D amplifier which should result in a smoother presentation but the power is lower at 125 watts/channel. I believe this amp uses the ClassD Audio amp module. You can read about the amp at http://responseaudiony.com/products.htm.

I'm sorry if this adds confusion to your decision, but I just discovered this amp online tonight.

Good luck,
Tim

Tonyangel,

Excellent, from all you've said, I think a CDA amp is going to give you what you want. I definitely improved my system going class D instead of my old, but still quite good, Aragon amp. I think you'll also like the smaller size, weight and cooler running of the CDA amp.

Good luck and happy listening,
Tim

Springbok10,

I just left you a response on your other thread, asking about CDA amps from owners, and I was asking about your impressions on the CDA470. I didn't know you were going to set it up with the Bel Canto monos on the bottom and the 470 on the mids and top. I thought you'd do the opposite.

I'm glad to hear you're pleased with the results in your system but I can't say I'm surprised. I, like Spencer, am curious to know which setup sounds better once you try the CDA470 on the bottom with the Bel Cantos on top. I'm very confident that almost any system would benefit from the use of CDA amps. I want to also make it clear that I have no asociation with CDA; I'm just a satisfied customer and big fan of Tom Ross's excellent products. I'd like to one day know how he makes such good amps for so little money and the details of his proprietary technology.

Enjoy,
Tim

Hi gandalf,

     Both the Magnepan 1.7i and Dynaudio Confidence C2 are very good speakers that are somewhat inefficient, meaning they are likely to sound best with higher powered amps.
     IMO, the CDA470 would be a good match with both of your speakers. I used a CDA440 with a VTL tube preamp on Magnepan 2.7qr and it was the best bass I've ever heard them produce.  I now use D-Sonic M3-600-M class D monoblocks and know these outperform the CAD440 in my system, mainly in dynamics and an improved mid-range and treble.
     There are also the top of the line D-Sonic M3-1500-M monoblocks ($2,550/pair) which may be the best solution for you.  These mono-blocks received an excellent review from 6Moons that is linked below:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/dsonic/1.html

     Overall, I would suggest trying the M3-1500M mono-blocks through their in-home trial program. I would certainly audition these before even considering anything more expensive than their price of $2,550/pair. However, I don't know your budget and while the D-Sonics  are a great bargain and a great match for both your speakers, they're not exactly inexpensive..  

Good luck,
  Tim