Hello, somehow I am on similar situation.
what I can say after listening many class d is to don’t rely too much on latest chip and this works as well for Dac but is the implementation that make big difference. There are three or 4 main chip manufacturers on class D, but only two (Purify is basically a rebrand of Hypex) are giving the bases for the implementation. What I see is that the are some purist who calculate best class d in Sinad but this is math and doesn’t tell you how it sound. The sonic difference are given by op amp (extra board) and other tricks that add somehow signal distortion (sorry for defining as such) and this make a sonic difference. What sound better is up to you and your match. You can take the oem amply and rely only on chip then add the coloration you want by pre amp or you can play with big brand who customise the chip or oem assembler who give you possibility to add extra operational amps to change sonic features. Somehow technology is mature but I believe there will be other chip in the future who
will add maybe other tricks, maybe a built in Dac for instance?! Is big market out there and cheaper than producing SS or tube, many brands jump into it others not probably they don’t have the capability. try and listen then take your consideration
what I can say after listening many class d is to don’t rely too much on latest chip and this works as well for Dac but is the implementation that make big difference. There are three or 4 main chip manufacturers on class D, but only two (Purify is basically a rebrand of Hypex) are giving the bases for the implementation. What I see is that the are some purist who calculate best class d in Sinad but this is math and doesn’t tell you how it sound. The sonic difference are given by op amp (extra board) and other tricks that add somehow signal distortion (sorry for defining as such) and this make a sonic difference. What sound better is up to you and your match. You can take the oem amply and rely only on chip then add the coloration you want by pre amp or you can play with big brand who customise the chip or oem assembler who give you possibility to add extra operational amps to change sonic features. Somehow technology is mature but I believe there will be other chip in the future who
will add maybe other tricks, maybe a built in Dac for instance?! Is big market out there and cheaper than producing SS or tube, many brands jump into it others not probably they don’t have the capability. try and listen then take your consideration