Ericjcabrera, you and I have a similar views regarding digital amps. When did you last hear them in your system, they seems to have come along way in the last year or so from when I last heard them in my system from what I am reading from others which I have to say intrigues me.
Sbank, there are few that have gone from Tube amps to specifically Spectron amps latest version. There is a lengthy but very good review on Audiogon from one owner and the amps he compared to which are very respected, there are others also and this is why these have peaked my interest and want more thoughts from others regarding this. When you say they are cheap, what do you mean? because they are by far inexspensive. The gorgeous looking Jeff Rowland 312/301 mono blocks leading the pack I believe cost wise and then the Spectrons come into play arround 14-15K for mono blocks with no upgrades which will even drive them up higher in cost. Have you actually listened to any in your system. |
Class D amps, I remember way back in the 80's when I had a pair of IRS Infinities top of the line speakers and these were the amp design and provided with the speakers to actually drive the base tower units, this technology seems to date back some time now.
I did some listening evaluations about a year ago with Bel Canto 1000's, Jeff Rowland 501's and Nuforce mono blocks, forget the model number now but found they all did nice things but to me just were no musical enough or involving compared to mosfet design but from all the "buzz" "D" amps all seem to be improving and evolving. The threads I constantly read about Spectron specifically more so than others, allot of actual tube owners going with this product. There seems to be only a handful of Jeff Rowland in comparison and when you read what they have compared to it just does not seem to be in comparison.
Audiofeil, you being a dealer who gets to dabble with different pieces and you mentioned your preference is SET so what's your take on them?
What product do you believe to be on top of the class "D" food chain list and why.
I have spoken to a few and they have mentioned to me saying I should have another listen to Bel Canto for example. I'm still looking forward to hearing Spectron mono blocks but just can not get arround my head dropping the type of money they are asking for them mainly due to the fact of my past memories and experience of the other class "D" product I had bought and being far from satisfied and at only a fraction of the price. Spectron did offer a 30 day trial not sure if they do anymore but anyone knowing class "D" product and the break-in time is very long so that just doesn't work.
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Breuninger, very interesting indeed. What is the rest of your set-up consist of with the MBL's including IC's, PC's and SC's. I thought I read you were using Jadis 500 mono blocks.
I actually have the same speakers as you but when I was doing the evaluations of "D" class I was doing it with Eggleston Andra 2's, Virtual Dynamic Genesis cables threw out.
Ericjcabrera, which current models and what did you go with and why, what differences did you find.
Dcstep, you own a Jeff Rowland 500 Continuum Integrate have you done any listening comparisons with any other similar designed amps such as Spectron, if so what's your take. I really like the gorgeous look of Rowland product. |
Sbank, Philefreak is a die hard SET amp guy.
Philefreak, I know you responded to the other thread but you should add a little more here about you experiences with class "D" and specifically your thoughts of Spectron product.
Philefreak that was great info. you gave in the other thread, I have heard from others that going with mono blocks the difference again is major, any thoughts. |
Tan43, kindly list in detail your system set-up and your friends. |
Class "D" seems to most defiantly becoming more and more popular. The advancement of the sound qualities constantly improving.
There is always going to be different opinions as is life.
I'm constantly reading and hearing from others that they are going with some sort of "Class D" amp product and replacing some pretty well known and respected pieces and this is why it has really peaked my interest.
I guess I'm going to have to put behind that past year I had which was a disappointment and try again.
Now comes the decisions, which one do I want to try first and why, any opinions. |
Dcstep, pre-amp I'm currently using is a Audio Research Ref3.
What specifically is the Power Factor Correction you are referring to. |
Hi Dcstep, Guidocorona and I have communicated prior and I have been following the Criterion 2-chassis battery pre thread.
I actually have interest in this pce along with the 301 mono blocks. I have not found anyone who actually owns the 301's to date. Reading the Rowland site and spec information regarding the 312 stereo Guido uses and the 301 mono blocks I have to say it has left me a bit confused and wondering are the mono's the preferred way to go. My set-up is not stereo friendly so unfortunately I need to go with mono blocks. Are you aware of anyone using the 301's or have you heard anything about these. |
Muralman1, the H2O M250SA are very interesting product also, you just recently installed the H2O Fire preamp and seem to be enjoying. Have you done any direct comparisons to Rowland, Spectron latest version, Bel Canto latest version.
If so what are your thoughts.
I was just chatting with someone today and the new Bel Canto MKII is suppose to be a substantial improvement and right now allot of talk. |
Coffeey, have you done any direct comparison of any of these amps personally, if so which ones and what was you take good or bad.
I have read from others who have replace very well respected amps and a few who are SET lovers going this way which peaks my interest and I'm always open minded, if it works than it's okay by me.
Dcstep, it's really not the watts that I'm after there's more to it than that. This system I'm using MBL 101E's which people think are really hard to drive but what I have found doing research and personally experimenting with them that when in a room and loaded they are quiet easy to drive. I previously had a CAT 100 watt tube amp set-up with them with plenty of head room, I'm currently using them with 60 watt mono blocks which I just put in place for a hold over while looking for a replacement of the CAT's. I was not exspecting anything from these 60 watters and prior to installing them was wondering would these even drive them, well I am really shocked what they are doing and enjoying listening to my music.
Muralman1, I have seen your pics and viewed the inside of the amps which most defiantly look different than others but all I'm looking for is the end result. Have you done any direct comparisons to Rowland, Spectron, Bel Canto in your own system and if so what were your findings. I have not found many who flavour this specific line that you are using so more info. would be beneficial and welcomed. |
Jswarncke, thanks for the info. his name is Anthony, I actualy know him and we communicate often but he has never mention such to me that he uses Spectron amps which is strange. I'll be giving him a ring.
Coffeey thanks for the input, I have not seen any latest version Spectron mono blocks come up for sale used period, nor JRD 301 mono's or the newest version Bel Canto's MKII's which would be due to them just being too new. I tried class "D" before if you read back my threads and the experience was not favourable but there seems to have been advancements since then and I'm never closed minded. |
Hi Dob,
yes it was your review I was making reference too.
I have to say when you refer to saying "I know my answer."
I whole heartily agree and we seem to be in the same camp so which is it? of these two fine products Athma-Sphere or Joule-Electra?
My thought is your answer lays with Joule because I have heard from many describing like you have but could be wrong, I have been told that I should be trying their mono blocks.
You should do another review with details of your outcome of the amps and differences you found. I heard a specific person whom allot know (not naming just encase for now) will be joining their team to assist in enhancing their product specifically the new pre-amp, should be interesting indeed.
What speakers are you using currently.
Dcstep, do you feel that the class "D" gear Rowland and Spectron are lacking in offering how Dob put it "the painting by TALANTED artist which can look into the soul of individual."
What are your thoughts of other Rowland gear compared them directly to their class "D" product we are specifically talking about. Do you prefer it over all over other Rowland products and if so why. |
Dcstep, thanks for your response.
Regarding the Rowland gear I was just wondering if you had personally heard any of their earlier designs for example 9Ti mono's and what your thoughts were in comparison to the latest which you answered.
Class "D" product is very interesting, I look forward to personally having a listen to some of these pieces especially the latest designs to see if the improvements change my past listening experiences which I had aprox. a year ago.
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Dob, very interesting indeed. What did the rest of this system consist of that you heard with the MBL's and I presume when you refer to big MBL's they are the 101E's, same speakers I own. I really enjoy my MBL's and every amp combo I pair up with them I learn new things even with the amps presently in place which are just carry overs from my CAT JL3's until I find replacements.
Does this same person also own JMLab Focal Grande Utopia BE speakers (MSRP: $99,995) may have sold them by now. Black piano, wood floors in the living room, Teres table.
Look forward to your thoughts of the Joule pre., from what I have heard suppose to be a real gem.
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Very interesting information with all the different thoughts and out comes.
Aprox. 2 years ago I bought and demoed numerous class "D" amps and/or which some refer to as switching amps.
What I found interesting when I read what Geph0007 had to say in general, putting aside the gear that was made reference to because that totally differs from what I listened to including owning.
What did come across was these specific amps ("D") are in one category referring to saying it's so clean, great bass, it's so smooth, etc. Then there is the other category which is "emotional where you want to jump up and start playing air guitar or you get choked up if the mood is right on certain songs."
I have to say from my experience I agree and that is what I was missing when I did my demoing but as we all know lots had happened since then (improvements)and I always keep an open mind so that is why I still have interest.
I have this year done some more evaluations comparing and here are a couple situations and what my thoughts were, these are my thoughts only!
System;
Jeff Rowland Continuum 500 integrated amplifier paired up with Neeper speakers, JM-LAB Alto Utopia Be speakers and Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario speakers. Cables used were Transparent and source AR REF7 cd red book, Esoteric with clock and DCS stac. Material all cd
I listened changing only the speakers and sources, same day and all gear well broken-in.
The JRDG was in the rack, on the floor was a Audio Research REF110 and HD220 both stereo pces and there was a REF3 pre also in the rack.
I spent some time listening to the different pcs. in different configurations with the JRDG first. I actually went with the intentions of buying the JRDG 500, the Rowland sounded really nice while I was evaluating and mentally going through the Audiophile check list, in my mind it was truly doing a spectacular job but that's it.
I played the same pces of music that I'm very familiar repeditively. I then switched over to the ARC amps and I discovered immediately what I was missing and it was exactly what Geph0007 said; which is the emotional aspect where you want to jump up and start playing air guitar or you get choked up if the mood is right on certain songs.
I just actually forgot all about the electronics and melted away being drawn into the music emotionally. It really reminds me of two years ago and how I felt also when I demoed "D" class amps for aprox. 8 months and then installed PASS X600.5 mono blocks.
So my latest exspearince, JRDG 312 stereo amp paired up with a ARC REF3 pre., Transparent cables and same sources again but with the new JM-LAB Scala speakers. First time I ever heard these speakers and the 312. Very nice experience indeed and much different than my past with the JRDG 500 and all "D" class. This set-up offered that emotion toe tapping experience that is very important to me that was lacking so far with all other "D" class amps that I have heard.
Still more auditioning to come as I now need to compare, ARC HD220 and REF 110 and Boulder with same speakers and electronics, should be interesting.
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Hi Mapman,
Not exactly because in the past that 8 month spell with the "D" class amps I was actually using a tube pre, ARC REF3, Supratec Sav., VTL 7.5 and one of the amps where the Jeff Rowland 501's which I believe is the amp section of the 500 integrate.
The class "D" is very interesting and there are a handful that I have not heard and would like to do so but I will say to date the Jeff Rowland 312 is my fav. for this type of amplification.
Regarding amps I seem to actually prefer tube, just have not found that magical match for my current MBL's. Not that I have really heard allot either because I really had purchased the Cat JL3 thinking that would be it but unfortunately it wasn't do to other issues but the Joule is on my radar and will be listening to the exact system Dob heard and raved about. |
