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?
Well, in my experience, my current class D amp is ultra dead silent, and not so much (by a wide margin) my last two class A valve amps, one of them a more expensive 300B valve amp.
This much better signal to noise ratio of my class D amp makes it sound much cleaner and with less grain. Highs sound smoother on it because of that.
Thin? Well, if you get the right gear to feed it (AC Power, DAC, correct digital signal processing, neutral to warm preamp, etc) you can get a very detailed sound, with amazing soundstage and dynamics, with out losing smoothness, body and tone, at all.
Im sure you can get good sound with class A amp, but you also can do it with a good class D amp, at better price in most cases. Also lighter in weight, cooler at running temperature and with less energy consumption.
noble100"demonstrates you are either just making things up or have absolutely no experience....they are the least noisy of all existing amp types by a wide margin. Everyone who has ever heard class D will concede this...What exactly is your problem?
Perhaps his "problem" is that "everyone" does not agree with your opinion, assessment, or reasoning and you can insist that you are correct and try to insult others into agreeing with you and so the "problem" is in you’re refusal to properly acknowledge, accept, and reconcile with those with who you do not find yourself in complete agreement.
I've heard Class 'D' and think it's ironic that it's Class 'D' because a 'D' or an 'F' is what it deserves IMO..
musicloversaudio: "Just no. Thin and uninvolving are the characteristics of class D, plus noisy as heck."
musicloversaudio,
Just your "noisy as heck" comment demonstrates you are either just making things up or have absolutely no experience listening to class D. Virtually all class D amps have extremely low distortion and are the exact opposite of "noisy as hell", they are the least noisy of all existing amp types by a wide margin. Everyone who has ever heard class D will concede this because it’s so obvious, music emerges from an inky black, dead silent background. I thought everyone already knew this is one of the main characteristics of class D What exactly is your problem?
I’m seriously considering trying Legacy’s I - V 7 D class seven channel amplifier. Ice class. Its being released late this fall. Currently I have an ATI signature series 6005. I have all Legacy up front with Focus SE’s and Marquis. Legacy is releasing it in a 5 channel also, so I’ll wait. Would appreciate any feedback as they show up
Class D , is to clinical , it is detailfull , but you can’t “ feel” the music. You listen to the speakers. Class A gives you a warm sound.:you experience the music. You feel you more connected. A good example :Ear amps. Best I ever heared.
"try an ICEpower based model": The PS Audio Stellar amps are based upon ICEpower already and he mentioned they are a bit bright to him. When I tested them I didn't find them bright and performed quit well. I eventually went with D-Sonic as I found a better balanced amp with the right amount of low and high.
Could always look to inject a tube into the line with the likes of Schiit Freya+. You can by-pass, differential, or light up the tubes and have three types of sound.
I think its a matter of gear combination and synergy.
Ive had SS and tube class A (last one with 300B tubes) and now I have the Nord Acoustics NC500DM class D amp with Rev D boards and Sparkos Op Amps and I prefer it over all of my previous amps. Its cristal clear, with amazing dynamics, incredible soundstage and neutral tone. My previous class A amps sounded "dirtier" to me.
I think that when you have a considerable transparent amp (as speakers), it will show the flaws of your source. The more I improved the quality of the source (AC Power, digital signal processing, cables, DAC, etc) the warmer the amp got.
I've heard +100k systems with class A and AB systems that, to me, sounded harsher (and worse) than my current around 20k system.
The Rogue Hydra and Medusa are Class D. With the stock JJs it is slightly bright. Roll in a pair of NOS Mullard Long Plates and you will have a neutral to warm Class D.
I have had the Hydra for years and it is a spectacular Class D. It has taken a back seat to my Art Audio gear (I am importer for Art Audio) but still keep the Rogue because it is relatively small, energy efficient and I use it as a check in speaker design to ensure my speakers work well with neutral to slightly forward amps. I have a pair of NOS Cifte tubes which make the Rogue a hair forward but deliver an amazing soundstage. Mullards are what you need with it. The Hydra does require a bit of care in pairing with a preamp. I can’t speak about the Stellar but I did have it paired with the BHK signature preamp and the match was pretty excellent. I have no relationship with Rogue or PS Audio.
I have a set of Mola Mola Kaluga amps and Makua Pre-Amp for sale on this site that are brand new and never been used. Sorry for the blatant advertisement, but it is Class D at its best.
Yeah, imagine coming to Audiogon, and saying "This is my setup and I want to buy this kind of gear, what would you suggest?" and actually getting useful, contextual advice. What kind of place would this be?
Try an ICEpower based model. I find them quite warm sounding. The equal of some Parasound linear amps, and the better of some megabuck class A amps to my ears.
I'd ignore the class though, just go by what you hear.
"I wonder if there are softer sounding class D amps "
Not gonna happen,
I would suggest to swap the pre amp for a tube based model, like one from Audio Research or Modwright Industries or Manley Labs, this will inject some much needed warmth and beauty of tone and color, with great textures. A great sounding pre amp makes all the difference.
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
