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Any one else like the class D ICE power amps?

Category: Amplifiers

Running 1400 watt pioneer sc-09tx & just purchased wyred4sound mini mc-3 (220 (w) at 8ohms per channel)for mains /center. Love the low distoration, clean , crisp sound! JL Audio F-113 subs powered by 5,000 (w) of class d amplification!

I think it is the way of the future reasonably priced, light weight/small/powerful & 85+ efficient.

Jeff Rowland is not the way to go IMO same B&O modules used as wyred4sound at 3-4 times the price! Quaulity is were its needed (in the wyred4sound), not the fanciest cabinet. Jeff Rowland has beatiful jewerly like cabinets but is thousands more per watt. (probably the highest mark-up out their) i loved to open a wyred4sound (hidden gem) & a JR amp up side by side.

Please any Jeff Rowland owners set me straight if their is a difference in the ICE power between the two, last time I checked the mini mc-3 was using the newest ICE modules available. What justifies the thoudands of $ higher price tag? Never got a response to my e-mail to JR??

Class D amps (most of them have arrived) most people think class d stands for digital?? The real reasons is it the next corresponding letter in the alphabet.

ICE power believers tell me what you think.

Kodg
kodg
nick778
147 posts
 
I own one of the new Spectron Audio MK2 with the gold plated rhodium speaker posts and the V-Cap upgrade. Spectron makes their own IECs which enables them to create i.e. reconstruction filters that aren't 'add-ons' to a B&O module.

I love the sound it produces regardless if it is class D or not. I think it is about synergy with an entire system. These amps and ones like the Bel Canto REF1000II put out a lot of power which many speakers need especially electrostatic's. The Spectron excels in that it is stable down to 0.1 ohms and can drive complex and difficult loads.

However, again, I am impressed with its sound first and foremost and that it can drive my speakers which need 500 watts/channel+ and dip in impedeance between 2-3 ohms during play.

Given it is 58 lbs and cool running is an added bonus.
kodg OP
24 posts
 
Aim going to check out their web site.

I agree sound first everything else second everything else class D amps bring to the table are icing on the cake.

People who say class D amps sound flat IMO have'nt listened to a properly made class D amp. I think they equate distoration of class a/b as more engaging sound?

The Ice Power amps are anything from flat sounding their just lacking annoying distoration.

After listening to the almost zero distoration levels of my ICE Power amps I would never go back to a class a/b amp, it would be like going back to a CRT TV.

I have heard a lot of audio guys say the ICE amp & Tubes amps. are a great combo. I would like to hear a system that incorporates both as i do like the look of tube amps.

Thanks for the comment.

Kodg Man
ait
480 posts
 
I run the Gilmore Raptor monoblocks, which are highly modified ICE, according to Gilmore. They have no coupling caps on the inputs or outputs and massive linear power supplies, and weigh 37 lbs each. They produce 500 WPC at 4 ohms. The chassis is made from machined 1/2 inch thick aircraft grade aluminum and feels like one solid block of metal. I run them with a Supratek Chenin tube preamp and the combo sounds fantastic on my Infinity RSIIb speakers, which are known to be a difficult load. The Gilmores seem to have almost unlimited power reserves, and the bass impact is just fantastic. I am very satisfied with them.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Check out this review of the H2O 100. This will power any mortal speaker.
The review compares the H2O to a conventional amp.

http://www.iceh2oaudio.com/images/H20-Monarchy.pdf

Here is a summary excerpt lifted from the reviewer:

"H2O Signature 100: Summarizing the character of the Signature 100 can be
done with these words; delicate, powerful, dynamic, refined, and trans-
parent. The Signature 100 represents a few firsts for me. It is the first
affordable high power amplifier I’ve encoun- tered that sounds as delicate
and as resolute as a component that utilizes a short signal path. It is also one
of the first transistor amplifiers I’ve come across that has managed to focus
my attention away from those glass valve thingy’s. Unlike most amplifiers
that impart an obvious flavor to every selection of the music, the H2O’s
incredibly neutral presentation allows every component and recording to
stand on their own merit."

At $2000 the H2O 100 is cheaper than nearly all other ICE amps.
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