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

scratcha
ClassD Audio

The Class-D Audio (which is USA made and sold) is one to look out for as they say they will have their new models of the GaN technology Class-D amps coming out soon, don’t know if they will have it in kit form as well like their other products.

Chers George

Class D audio amplification is a lot like electric cars they are both environmentally friendly and in some applications, uses, and products perform in a way that is at a minimum acceptable to a certain subset of users but the technology is still in its early developmental stages and not suited to the vast majority of installation and systems and I personally find that class D amplification sounds just dreadful to those familiar with the sound of real music, instruments, and acoustic spaces.

scratcha ,
I was having an email conversation last year with Ryan Tew from Red Dragon Audio. He is working on new amps and the old line is no longer being made. This is from an email last April:

We are going to clear out the current version to make way for the new MkIII version. I think we only have a few new S500’s left and some demo units that are undergoing refurbishment.
These will all be sold at a steep discount.

Estimated Pricing on MkIII Gen Amps:
$1299 Each M1000 MkIII
$1399 Each S500 MkIII *
$$TBD$$ Multichannel Amplifier **

M500 (discontinued)
* Relatively large price decrease as we revert this product back to Direct to Customer Sales model
** MC Amp price isn’t determined yet - however it will be offered in either a 5 or7 channel variant. Power will be 1200 watts for L/C/R into 4ohms and 600watts for surround channels into 4ohms.
*** Latest generation of ICEpower for the stereo, monoblocks and MC amp. No estimates on availability. Thanks,

Ryan Tew
President - Red Dragon Audio

As his ETA was sometime in the Fall I contacted him again in September asking how things were going:

Things are going good but we’re redoing the entire chassis which will take the longest due to machining new tools and setting up the new parts.
If you want to grab one of current amps before they’re gone, we can always do a trade in later when the MkIII’s are ready.

Thanks,

Ryan Tew
President - Red Dragon Audio

In January I asked if he was going to update his website. Never replied.
I’ve been putting off buying an amp for over a year waiting for his new line to come out. I’m not sure I’m going to wait much longer. I have a pair of Murano Audio P200 mono amps that are long overdue for retirement however With GaN technology Class -D amps on the horizon I think I’m going to hold off for awhile.

Uh-oh, it sounds like clearthink isn't thinking too clearly.  Maybe his user name is satirical?

Tim

clearthinker? LOL  you go from first person to who knows whta to validate your personal opinion " I personally find that class D amplification sounds just dreadful to those familiar with the sound of real music, instruments, and acoustic spaces."

I am quite familiar with live and reproduced music via claas A, AB, tube, and 4 different class Ds (soon to be 5) . and while I somewhat agree, having owned earlier generations from W4S, my Audio Alchemy stereo amp sounds like real music, at least WHEN the recording is well done , but bad discs sound BAD.