Opinions on Wyred 4 Sound ICE amps

Few integrateds can compete with separates in regards to bass and authority due to physical limitations on power supply and otehr factors when placing multiple circuits in close proximity as is typically the case with integrated amps. Maybe if the power supply is housed separately......

Also I suspect IcePower and Class D might actually work better in a truly compact integrated configuration compared to most amps due to size and efficiency advantages assuming RFI noise issues are addressed effectively (a big if though perhaps). If integrated includes a low level phono section also, its even tougher.

These are the best buy in Class D generally to match to tube pre-amps.

They are highly damped and sound best with speakers that benefit from this and a lot of power and current

ALso, the small physical size and light weight makes these very practical for many to use rather than big, heavy monster amps that may be required otherwise.

In these scenarios, they are hard to beat.

Otherwise, YMMV more and other amps are more competitive practically.

Not sure how Wyred compares to Bel Canto in regards to bass, but I recall when I first listened to the BC ref1000m's, I recall wondering where the bass went in that it really sounded like there was virtually none at first. Once my ears adjusted, I realized that it was there in spades like never before, but had a totally different dimensionality to it, mostly in regards to soundstage depth and imaging, and also cleaner and more tightly damped with much greater nuance.

It's pretty much been bass heaven ever since.

Dsper,

What you are saying sounds consistent with my experience.

Also I found that I could turn the volume up significantly higher without any listening fatigue or harshness, and as I did the sound filled out and became naturally more "palpable" as you say. This was a night and day difference from prior, nothing subtle or difficult to discern.

Also I recall the change in soundstage and "dimensionality" led me to tweak my speaker placement accordingly as well a bit in order to re-optimize the soundstage and imaging, which had changed a lot with the new amps.

Comparison's aside, I have heard the newer more modestly priced Krell integrated amplifiers in recent years and thought the sound was quite good and in no way lacking in bass, a product I would most likely be quite happy with in teh right situation.

"In a very recent 6 moons review, the reviewer had both the latest Bel Canto and Yredforsound on hand to compare."

Bel Canto Evo 200.4 compared came out a number of years ago I believe and may not quite represent the latest and greatest from BC. Also I do not see it on the current BC products list.

"I would not use them with bright sounding or thin sounding cdp or speakers."

My assessment is good Class D amps like Wyred work quite well with brighter and or smaller or thinner sounding speakers, however the advantages and differences between the Class D and other amps may be less significant in these cases and there are other amps available for reasonable cost that can fit the bill as well.

Its when you are facing the choice between a big heavy, expensive, power guzzling Class A or Class A/B amp in order to optimally drive speakers that are power and current hungry that Class D provides the most clear benefit over other amp types.