Atma-Sphere Class D… Amazing

Are you still planning to build a version with somewhat higher power output?

We started with 100 W into 8 Ohms, 200 into 4 simply because if you really need more power than that your speaker is impractical. The exception seems to be ESLs like the Sound Lab, which are easy to drive in that they don't need an exceptional amount of power, but challenge solid state amps because the bass impedance is so high (30 Ohms).

We would like to make a more powerful amp, but to be noticeably more powerful than what we have already, it would have to be 600-800 Watts at least. This is simply because of the logarithmic character of the ear, which is why deciBels are used to measure sound pressure.

This kind of power won't be possible with the existing module. As always, the challenge will be to keep distortion down and keep it benign.

Yes, but I think it is more evident with tube amps than with s-state?

Yes.

Regardless of the amplifier though,  its distortion will always be higher driving a lower impedance. For this reason, if sound quality is your goal your amplifier investment dollar will be best served by a higher impedance speaker, all other things being equal (which of course they never are...).

However the class D seems to do nicely on lower impedances. Our local dealer likes how they drive the Magnaplanars in his store.

Would these amps drive higher impedance loads easily? Let’s say Classic Audio Loudspeakers. I know only a handful of folks to include myself and Atmasphere who own T.1 series of the Classic Audio Loudspeakers. I own the T1.5s. These are often mated with the OTL Novacrons. I drive mine with McIntosh MC2301. Wondering if the new class Ds have been tested with higher impedance loads such as the Classic Audio Loudspeakers. Considering another set of amps to add to the setup, not replace anything. 

@audioquest4life Into 16 Ohms they will make half of their 8 Ohm rated power. As you already know though, that's plenty for the T1s. You might have to adjust the rear panel controls slightly since the class D has a lower output impedance compared to a tube amp. I've been driving my T3s (also 16 Ohms) for the last 2 years and they work great together!

@atmasphere ,

Thank you for the response. That is great to hear that your new amps adequately power the T3s and the T1s. I think these amps would be a good alternative to the either the Novacrons or MA60s I was looking at. The thought of a compact killer amp sounds good to me, no pun intended. I will definitely try to see if I can find somewhere to demo these and see about a home audition.