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Time to buy a class D amp?


Will some new class D amplifiers outperforming the current ones appear soon

(the newest ones i know were released a  few years ago)?

Class D amps attract me as I consider them the most ecological ones with obvious non-auditionable benefits.

I have no doubts that they posses the maximum ratio performance/sound quality among the amplifiers of all classes.

At the same time, the sound quality the class D amplifiers that I have auditioned produce, although is quite good,

but not yet ideal (for my taste).


I use PS Audio Stellar S300 amp with PS audio Gain Cell pre/DAC with Thiel CS 3.6 speakers in one of my systems.

The sound is ok (deep bass, clear soundstage) but not perfect (a bit bright and somehow dry, lacking warmness which might be more or less ok for rock but not for jazz music).

I wonder if there are softer sounding class D amps with the same or better details and resolution. Considering two reasonable (as to the budget) choices for test, Red Dragon S500 and Digital Audio Company's

Cherry  2 (or Maraschino monoblocks), did anybody compare these two?



128x128niodari
sumaato
98 posts
 
Thanks....I hope it works out for you ultimately....that would be the easiest solution for you!

I am very curious about the Nuprime AMG preamp recently released.
It has adjustable gain and a sophisticated bass management system.
I wonder how it would match up with the PS Audio S300. I'm tempted to get hold of one to try.
niodari's avatar
niodari OP
299 posts
 
It looks interesting. Hpa 9  has also two levels of gain, i always prefer low gain.
Keep us posted on your impressions on amg pre. 
bolduque
3 posts
 
Hi there,
I am a newbie to the audiophile world and am looking to make a step up from my current setup which is a Monitor Audio Bronze BR2 + KEF TDM 45B + Denon 1910 AVR (all entry level except for the KEF). I’ve found a nice deal online for two Red Dragon S500 Monoblocks for $2K and I am just about ready to jump the trigger. To those who’ve actually used class D amplifiers (as I really cannot participate in the class A/AB vs D discussion) do you know if there is a great difference between the pascal amplifiers vs ICEpower vs HYPEX ? The speakers will of course also be upgrades soon.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I’ve found a nice deal online for two Red Dragon S500 Monoblocks for $2K and I am just about ready to jump the trigger.


They use the same  Class-D modules, slightly moded by Pascal that you’ll find in the $10K Rowland Research Continuum 2.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1820971?highlight=Rowland%2B%2BContinuum%2BRed%2BDragon

Me, I’d advise you to go a nice linear A/B amp

Cheers George
bolduque
3 posts
 
Hi George,

Having read through all pages I more than understand your viewpoint on A/B’s. The issue for me is mostly that I am living in an apartment and have a space issue, so for now a Class-D will give me good amplification in a form-factor that will match my current situation. As soon as I have a dedicated room to listen to my audio to I will be looking at other options!

Regardless, thanks for your reply, I’ll look into it!
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