Class D amps seem poised to take over. Then what?

If you combine a DHT preamp and a transparent SS amp you are most of the way towards a very good tube like sound. 


I've never owned a DHT tube preamp, but with the octal preamp and solid state amp I'm using now I tend to agree.

I just got the Technics SU-G700 and love it, but I feel it's an acquired taste.

I'm not 100% sold on the class D vs ??? Debate (don't know enough), but I was really tempted to get the SU-R1000, and am in love with the SU-G700. It sounds great, but as others have said it really fluctuates it's sound based on what other source components you have before and after it.

It seems like it obviously has more potential than your classic integrated amplifier, but again some of the new things/tech could be gimmicky, and others may not like the tonality of it all.

The most interesting thing about this amplifier is that my DAC (Gustard X26 Pro) which has three filter settings and according to the internet primarily only is one good (Vivid), sounds overly bright and almost has the degree of reverb that resignates through most vocals with LAPC enabled. When utilizing all the Technics digital wizardry the amp doesn't project the sound of vocals as well forward as my other amps (as opposed to off center right or left IDKW?). 

This is a really strange kind of amp, but I love it and it does sound really good!

You can certainly get plenty of body and warmth out of SS amps.It may not be typical for the breed but SS amps like that are not hard to find.Most of the Nelson Pass amps,Audio Flight,Electrocompaniet,Usher,Sugden,Dartzeel and
 many more.And Bakoons which are really special and seem to combine the very best traits of SETs and class A SS.

This is a matter of scale and I've not heard a conventional solid state amp including those on this list (excluding the Bakoon) that is as smooth and detailed as a good class D.

I definitely feel fortunate. I listen to AGD Audions in my main rig and a Bakoon HP-1 in my headphone rig (with superb ZMF Verites).
The Bakoon is excellent. Similar to the AGDs in that “open window” perspective. It is not easy to compare headphones to speakers but I would say that the AGDs take things to a higher level. Not to diminish the Bakoon. And to get the power output range in Bakoon is $18K. They are not balanced. And they don’t make mono blocks.

This is a matter of scale and I’ve not heard a conventional solid state amp including those on this list (excluding the Bakoon) that is as smooth and detailed as a good class D.

Ralph,Yes I can see how somebody might make that conclusion and be seduced.The smoothness and detail is there.I would add articulation and leading edge precision to that.The Bakoons have all that too.However what is missing is the decay,the harmonics, the shimmer,the lilt,the atmosphere,the musical feel,the tintinabulation.To quote our former Prime Minister Paul Keating-all tip and no iceberg.