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Tube Pre/ Class D Amp - Who has done it?

Open forum for those who have actually tried this.  Really curious to know who has been happy, or maybe unhappy, with a tube preamp driving a Class D amplifier?

Of course, tube pre with a solid state amp is a classic pairing for hard to drive speakers, especially ESL's.   This is a little different.   I'm really curious to know what pres and Class D amps have had great synergy.

erik_squires

Showing 1 response by avanti1960

avanti1960
1,569 posts
 

I have a Cary SLP-05 tube preamp and used a well known high quality 500 watt GaN class D amp for a while.  

The sound was comparable to the better Class D amps I have heard except truly the speed of this amp was off the charts.  It was able to delineate differences in rapid fire percussion like no other amp I have owned or heard.  Actually topped the speed of the Pass XA25, another unusually rapid fire amplifier.  

I just did not prefer the overall sound of the amp.  Somewhat drier, matter of fact, not even a hint of glow.  

I would recommend a quality class D amp if you need lots of relatively economic power for current hungry speakers like Magnepan or have a need for amplifiers with a light weight compact footprint.  

Based strictly on sound quality the answer is no.  

 

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