!!!OK OK - I'm Big Enough To Admit I Was DEAD WRONG!!! Class D Doesn't Always Suck!!!

Thanks for the post. I'm interested. I had heard that judging amps by the "class" was not a sufficient metric and I love the narrative here you've given with your experiences of a variety of amps. 

Glad you found travel nirvana. Those baby ProAcs are a treasure.

@hilde45 ,thanks much.I posted this hoping that any old dogs,or even youngsters, stuck in the mindset that I was in,will have the courage to try new options...

I saw that Creek at CAF last year (on display but not playing) and almost bought one on the spot except I didn’t in that I have too many integrated amps already.

Well said.

Couldn't agree more.

Love my PS Audio M1200 monoblocks.

Class D hasn't sucked in decades

I’ve had many Class D’s for years. Some "high end", some not so much at least based on cost and aesthetics.   Each different sounding but good overall.   None "sucked".  I see only Class D in my future as well unless I decide to play with a flea powered tube amp and high efficiency speakers as well just for kicks.

Just tossing my 2 cents in the pot. 

Thanks for the interesting post and thread!

Class D "sucks" just as often as class A, class A/B, so on and so forth. It's about design and implementation. This is similar to the vinyl/CD/streaming conversation - no universally "right" answer. 

“Synergy” is the word. I was using a class D for a long time with my Magnepan MG3.6R’s until the Power Module in one channel decided it had had enough. Yes, it’s me with the wanted ad for Spectron part. A friend uses Jeff Roland mono blocks with his MG3.7’s. and a VTL pre amp which sounds very nice indeed Might be a little tricky taking them abroad but were there’s a will…..

Some of the best systems I heard at AXPONA this year were on class D systems. I'm glad you mentioned ProAc speakers---I've been wondering how they would pair with a Luxman integrated. 

It’s always nice to hear of an audio enthusiast who’s downsized their system and in the process experienced what it was like when they first got started in this hobby.

I experienced something similar when after having several high end systems, purchased a vintage British system from the 1980’s and 1990’s composed of a Naim CDi, Naim NAC 42.5/HICAP/NAP 110 driving a pair of Linn Kan I’s.  

IME this is a great sounding little system for not much money.  As for Creek Audio, I’ve always liked their gear and 35 years on, still have a pair of CLS10 bookshelf speakers from the early 1990’s, that  my late Dad used in his study for years. 

I have a small room where my setup there is a WiiM Ultra streamer/DAC, IOM Ultra (Hypex NCORE class D power amp) driving ProAc Super Tablettes and it does a great job in that space. 

NAD also makes some compact, desktop sized hybrid Class D integrateds worth considering.

It would be helpful to understand more about the recommended speaker impedance to pair up with this particular amplifier, and getting it right.  

Sounds like the OP found a nice match with the ProAc speakers used here. Nice. Great to read more progress with the new Class D amplifier designs some are achieving past few years.  

There are a few other reviewers and folks who've mentioned some type of harshness up top or the amp responding in a flat way when paired with speakers with big impedance swings, and compared to their prior AB amps with the same speakers. I did not see data or amplifier measurements to explain what was being reported, or how that was occurring, yet it did bring up the amp < > speaker matching question as being an important factor to understand more about perhaps.  

Creek makes great amps. Insanely good value! 

@decooney when the Creek first came in I still had a pair of Quad 11L speakers on the stands..These speakers had a 6 ohm nominal dropping to 3.8 ohms in the lower treble & the Creek had no problems driving them to a steady 95db.with no harshness,compression or clipping..
 I believe I read that post regarding harshness,can't recall where I read it but in the dozen or so professional reviews I read that was the 1 & only time anyone complained about this..
 In my research I read an interview with Mike Creek regarding the 4040a in which he stated the design of the 4040a power supply is STABLE INTO A CONSTANT 2 ohm load with power output doubling again to 220 watts!I will go back through all the reviews & interviews I saved to confirm this but I'm 90% sure about my statement..
 I suspect the OP complaining about harshness had something else happening with his configuration..

Thanks. Great narrative of your adventure. Glad you found something that makes you happy. That's all that matters. 

@erik_squires true.There are many small Class D integrated amps available nowdays BUT the Creek & Wyred For Sound mINT are the only ones I found that are user convertible from 120 to 240 volt operation with just the flip of a switch!

OP  :  I'm not necessarily encouraging you or anyone else to audition the NAD instead, but thought it would be useful to mention them. 

You are right though, they are not user convertible since they have universal power supplies. 

If you really must have a switch to change the power supply setting I guess you are out of luck.

Background info on the advertised Creek Class D technology.   Something different.

Class D Audio Amplifier IC - Infineon Technologies

Let us know how it sounds during a brownout!  That would be the amp I would want for the phils 

The world needs more open minded people like you. 

@kofibaffour 

You are so right.

It Blows!

@danager weird comment and don't know why you chose to ping me

...and the insane in the membrane sort as I would only toss my 'trash' for a pair (Yes, a pair...wishes 'n fishes....) of these.... ;)

@freediver 

Perhaps it is far too late to matter, but...

Many years ago I purchased a Devailet Primer/250.

It is a 'lifestyle' audio system and an early implementation of Class D tech. It sounds great, yet different from my main system (SS & tubes).

It is so attractive that it receives praise even when turned-off.

Like most manufactures, models change and the 250 is no longer current. Still, it is nice to see if on is available on the 2nd market.  Check-it out...

Have fun on your next journey...

Class D has come a long way since the sterile, dryer sounding modules in the beginning or some overly warm designs that lack air and inner detail. There are some difference between designs. My preference is now GaN FET as I find them the best overall. 
Being a tube designer the past 20 years, I am finding Hybrid GaN FET designs to be the perfect balance. That’s what we focus on but will always design with tubes. 
 

I downsized a lot too.  I sold off all my Macintosh separates and replaced with a Linn MDSM/4.  Preamp/poweramp (100wpc class D)/DAC/streamer, and headphone amp all in a single unit.  Source is streaming Qobuz or LP12. Powering a pair of Linn M-109 (replaced SF floor standers).  Couldn’t be happier

Bruno Putzeys is a legend in the Class D amplification space.  

Class D from the 1970's is different than Class D of today. Some people are just stuck in the 'old man tells at cloud' world. Class D is the present and future of audio, save for those who enjoy Tube amps.

I love my N-core based March Audio. Is it dry? Wet? Salty or sour? I don’t know. But, I can say compared to my past equipment (Parasound, NAD, Musical Fidelity, Peachtree), this seems dead neutral to me with the clarity and dynamics that seem like real music.

Yeah it seems Class D has finally come of age in recent years. I hadn’t encountered a Class D amp that I could live with long term (and I tried many) until recently with the Axxess Forté1 integrated. It finally dethroned my Yamaha integrateds. I also prefer it to the Denon A110 and Luxman 507Z. 

There was a time not long ago when I believed I would never be a class D convert, but here I am listening to my Forté1 and not yearning for anything. The fact that it’s significantly easier on the power bill is icing on the cake. 

I too was skeptical of class D amplification, however I purchased a Jeff Rowland Capri S and a pair of Rowland 501 mono  blocs for my Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy 5.1’s and I was not disappointed. 1000W of power opened up my Wilson’s and I have never looked back. Amazing soundstage, increased headroom and plenty of bass punch. Done correctly, it can definitely rival class A/B IMHO. 

My Crown XLS 2002 kicks butt  for my yard. I've been impressed from day 1 and its so effcient.

All of this talk of Class D and nary a mention of one of Bruno Puzey’s brainchildren:  Mola-Mola.  I have a Makua with my ProAcs…. Stunning.  Anyone with space constraints and desiring a fantastic sound should audition the Mola-Mola offerings!

@erik_squires NAD also makes some compact, desktop sized hybrid Class D integrateds worth considering.

I bought an NAD M10 v3 recently just to try DIRAC, and I'm amazed at how good it sounds. The ease of use is fantastic too. HDMI ARC, Roon, Airplay, Bluetooth, etc. Apparently you can even connect 2 "rear" speakers that are BluOS compatible for a sort of surround for movies. All for under $3k.

I think judging am amp on class is indeed not wise, as I have a full on service department in this space I tried to build a good sounding Class D amp, Not easy at all.  You still need a great front end, you still need a great power supply, you need cooling schemes as the Class D runs hot. I was trying to beat an inexpensive Class AB amp and it cost (build cost) just as much as a full on Class AB amp to get the Class D to sound as good.  

Comparing N Core that is used in lots of amps as not a good method for evaluating quality.  The front end and the power supply make all the difference in the world so many  N Core amps can and do sound different based on these surrounding segments of the entire amplifier.  Unfortunately, you have to listen to it.

Now that does not account for the genius designers among us, Theta was building great sounding Class D a long time ago- but that is one of the best amp designers in the world (Morris Kessler).   The are many others who are extremely bright in this field as this is all they do.  

@ltmandella the Creek 4040a IS ALREADY THE PERFECT AMP FOR THE PHILIPPINES!!!
 I was concerned about brownouts & unstable voltage as well..An email to Creek Audio received a reply from Mike Creek himself with the following reply:
"Unlike most conventional amplifiers, the 4040 A’s 350-Watt power supply is voltage stabilised, enabling it to double its power output into half the load impedance, regardless of the mains voltage.
The 4040A’s switched mode power supply has a fuse in line with the mains voltage input on its PCB. There are surge arrestors on board too, to prevent spikes or other unwanted voltages from destroying any circuitry.  Regardless of the incoming voltage, the resonant mode circuitry used always stabilises the voltage to a fixed level, thereby preventing the amp from over or under voltage."

[[regardless of the mains voltage.]]

I guess Mr. Creek has never experienced a Philippines brownout.  Or maybe he is being clever, because 0 x 2 is still ZERO ;)

as stated earlier

"Great narrative of your adventure. Glad you found something that makes you happy. " .... and sounds great