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Class D for a Tube Lover

First, I'm sure this has been asked many times but searching the subject wasn't too helpful to me.

So apologies in advance.

I enjoy tubed electronics and class A amps, which tend to be a bit warm.  My current Cary 805s warm my small (12x16) music room even in the cool/cold of winter.  I've got other amps that don't produce much heat, but am looking for something that produces no heat.  Living in a home with no central AC the room gets uncomfortably hot during the summer months.

So...I'd like to try some Class D amps.  Stereo or mono is just fine.  And my speakers aren't difficult to drive so I don't need a thousand watts.  But if that thousand watt amp sounds great, I'm not adverse to that, either.

I'd like to keep the price under 2k used.  

Please help.

Thanks.


128x128audiodwebe
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
I own an Audio Research DSI200 class D integrated amp, circa 2010. Beautiful tube-like sound. You can find them used for $2.5k-ish.
Real Audio Research sound. Runs super cool. 200watts to 8 ohm. It’s the only solid state integrated amp ARC ever made, just happens to be class D.

ARC developed all of the class D circuits themselves. Didn’t use third party modules.
I’ll never sell mine even when I eventually upgrade. Paired with Spendor D series it’s glorious 
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
The tide is turning...

TSUNAMI COMING! 
nsm1979
14 posts
 
Another recommendation for Cherry amps.  I have the inline mono King Maraschinos from Digital Amplifier Company.  They sit 12” behind my Spatials.  Best I ave had in my room.  Tommy is a straight shooter.  I am sure you can demo in your system.  Give him a call.
slimpikins5's avatar
slimpikins5
191 posts
 
I have one Class A amp and have had two variations of Class D amps.  The Class A amp is significantly smoother than the Ice Powered Class D amp, but the Class D amp with Ice power modules blows it out of the water in terms of raw dynamic power, but it tended to be harsh on the upper end frequencies where the Class A amp shined.
Now lets talk about the other Class D mono blocks I have which do not use Ice Power devices, they use proprietary design output sections which are liquid cooled.   These are the Anthem M1 Class D mono blocks.   These two amps absolutely kill the Ice Powered Class D amp and kill squared the Class A amp.  The Anthem M1's are smoother, cleaner, more accurate and balanced than the Class A amp.   They also have massive output power which is so dynamic that you will hear things that you never heard before.   I'd suggest that you find a pair of these, as they run barely warm to the feel in the middle of summer and consume only 3 watts in standby but under use will deliver 2000 watts per channel at 4 ohms with virtually no distortion.   The only issue will be the cost, these are $7K per pair, therefore well outside of your budget.   But the point is, if you are ever looking to have your cake and eat it too, it is there.
tweak1
3,561 posts
 
there's a pair of Audio Alchemy DPA-1Ms (class D monoblocks) on AG for $1595. Highly recommended by several quality review magazines

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa9di4-audio-alchemy-dpa-1m-monoblock-power-amp-solid-state
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