Which Class D Amplifier? PS Audio, Ghent, Nord, Merrill or other???

Anyone heard the ELAC Class Ds?

As fate would have it, one of my 3 Class D amps, the inexpensive $70 one (with Bluetooth) by Fosi Audio:

https://fosiaudio.com/collections/bluetooth-amplifier/products/bt10a-bluetooth-4-0-stereo-audio-ampl...

Uses this TI Class D chip that I was unfamiliar with prior:

http://www.ti.com/product/TPA3116D2

If when the TI GaN technology reaches this product, assuming it has not already (don’t know), I hope the price does not jump too much.

It sounds very good! Much better than I could have hoped for the cost, though I am only using it with a pair of old Boston A40s in a lesser used 2-channel AV system currently. Also I do not hear the issues George claims even at this modest cost. Enjoying it thoroughly, though much different sounding than the classic old NAD 7020 it replaced. More like my other two much pricier Class D amps.

It got a near perfect 5 star average rating with 100s of reviewers on Amazon offering up similar praise. I guess they did not hear any problematic artifacts either.

that music is rendered with a beauty I can not explain

Which measurement is it again that measures "beauty"?   I can't explain it either. 🏆

That's OK.  I got my answer.

George what specific amp or amps are you referring to in regards to "sonic shortcomings"? Two or 3 examples will do if you could.

Also what amp or amps specifically are you comparing with to reach that conclusion? What were the shortcomings of those?

Are you comparing apples/apples in terms of cost?  

What are your reference recordings used to make the assessment?

Just to be clear I’m asking what you have specifically heard, not what you deduce from other sources.

Being a technical guy, I’m sure you can appreciate the value of being specific and not making generalized statements based on a limited sample.

Thanks.

worldwidewholesales

Yes I have 3 Class D amps ranging in original retail price from $100 to $6000 and I can say with certainty each sounds good but different.

I’d specifically be wondering are you testing any Class D amps with the GaN technology? If so how does that compare to the others? Also the cost of each.


Thanks.

Any good credible reviews out there yet where the author compared the sound of a leading GaN Class D amp to others?  Stereophile?  That would help take the GaN argument from a theoretical one to something verified.   The measurements would be interesting as well.

FWIW I was considering SET several years back prior to trying Class D first.   So glad I did!  Never happened!  Will only get better!

I have Bel Canto c5i based on fairly recent Icepower module.  Probably the most easy on the ears SS amp I have ever had.   I've used it with a variety of speakers, some that can lean towards being a tad fatiguing with the wrong amp.

No reason to steer clear of Icepower IMHO.   You just need a good total design around it, like with any amp.  Bel Canto does it well.

Sunshine is a good thing.

Yes. 

I heard Merrill amps at Capital Audiofest a couple years back running a pair of German Physiks speakers. Model may have been Veritas but not sure.
The sound was crisp neutral detailed and top notch all around. The amps seemed to drive the speakers pretty effortlessly. Nothing to object to, very much what I was expecting. The sound was much like a pair of well set up Quad Electrostats or MLs, except the GP speakers are omnidirectional and not ES and the bass was all there but well integrated into the overall Omni sound presentation.


It was not unlike what I hear with the Bel Canto Class D amps I use with my Ohm Walsh speakers , but were more pricey at the time as I recall. Same true of the GP speakers.

Of these The only ones I have heard were Merrill.  Those sounded very good as well they should in that they were somewhat pricey. 
I have not heard the PS Audio but from what I know about the company and what I read about their latest Class D amps including the price,  I would lean that way if I needed to replace my current Bel Canto Class D amps today.