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Competitive class D amp suggestions

I have been Class D fun since a few years ago when i bought my first class D amp. I like the concept, in general, and all the attractive features of this class of amplifiers. I tried 4 different ones, currently i  stayed with one of them that i consider to be the best among all four amps. I do enjoy and like it. At the same time,  my 5 watts SET amplifier (with more than 100 times higher distortion according to the specs) gives more natural and (surprisingly) notably cleaner sound (THD of the class D amp is 0.001). The soundstage  of the class D amp is not so bad but that of the tube one is still better.   

I remain attracted by class D amps though. 

Any fresh suggestions on reasonably priced class D amps (i mean excluding  non-reasonably priced class D amps, e.g., Merrill amplifiers)?

Any comments on non-reasonably priced class D amps are also welcome (so far i was not able to audition many class D amps and am curious if there are some which could really compete with Class A). 

128x128niodari
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

I really like the hybrid concept. Tube front end and class D for power. That seems to exploit the best of both designs although I don't have a recommendation for you. 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

I am currently auditioning (for fun, I don't need them) a friend's brand new VTV Purify monoblocks with swappable op amps (he has Sparkos) and they are very good for an SS amp.  I too prefer my 6 wpc SET.   but if you're a fan of ss amps, give them a consideration.  --Jerry

pingstonsmile
43 posts
 

Peachtree 400Gan. Very nice. 

niodari's avatar
niodari OP
297 posts
 

A 5-6 watts SET integrated amplifier can give you enough power unless your listening are is extremely large and your speakers are too non-sensitive. Then there is no real need in hybrid setting. 

I have a SS preamp which gives very comparable soundstage to a tube one. I mean not necessarily a tube preamp will give you better results. I am inclined to think that power amplifier is more important. A preamplifier can give you an additional flavour and it's up to you if you like it or not. If you have an integrated amplifier then you "get rid" of such kind of care, at least you don't need to search for a best preamp for your setting trusting to the amplifier designer.  

niodari's avatar
niodari OP
297 posts
 

Jerry, VTV Purifi might be a reasonable choice (for me). I did not try yet  a Purifi (or GAN) based class d amp. Could you help with more detail on auditioning this amp  (in particular compared to your SET amp)? 

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