I have been using the Wyred 4 Sound STI-500 with the Magnepans for about 6 months. Initially, I would have agreed with some who shun the Class D amps. I was not initially getting the sound out of my system. It was a little off, not as detailed as expected, and diffuse imaging. So much so, that I was about to contact Wyred 4 Sound to see what could be done.
Then, I started making small changes. Changed the Digital cable from the W4S DAC2 from the inexpensive Better Cables Silver Serpent to a pair of Xindak cables. Big difference. Instruments came into better focus.
I then unplugged my STI-500 from a large UPS backup and filter and plugged it into a $50 simple unit, filter only. Another big change with detail improving and now, for the first time, I was getting a sense of depth.
Placed all equipment on rubber absorber feet with some weight on top of each piece of equipment (W4S StI-500, W4S DAC2 and Netgear 9150 music server). The ever so slight splassy sound in the highs was now eliminated.
Finally, I tested an inexpensive, but well made TOSLINK cable with the W4S DAC2 and a final change occurred. The clarity took another slight move forward and a sense of real performers increased significantly.
The point of all this is that the Class D amps get dumped on in these threads and it could be for one or more of these very simple reasons. They do seem to be sensitive to many changes, but you don't have to feed them megabuck cables, power supplies, etc. to make them sound fantastic.
They seem to mate with the Magnepan 1.7s in a way I have not heard before. Loud music is not strained, but I find due to the immense detail that you get from these amps that you get amazing satisfaction at low levels. It really is incredible. All that for only $2K for the STI-500 integrated! A terrific deal to try out before you decide on going more expensive.
