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Class D amps that are superior to all or most?

Recently, I have heard about some Class D amps that may be close to the best there is regardless of class. Certainly, this technology has been in development for decades. The main issue has always been the switching power supply. In this regard, I have taken notice of AGD. They have created a whole new power supply that “switches” at a frequency 100 times the normal silicon based MOSFET. The designer uses a gallium nitride based PS. Interesting, it is enclosed in the KT88 glass envelope that sits on top of his amps. I am aware of two more pricey amps that seem to be also at the top- the Solution and the Merrill. There must be others that compete for the title. After my thread, “Is there a SS amp that can satisfy a SET guy?”, I am still on the quest.
Don’t want to spend $50K!
mglik
mglik OP
911 posts
 
I well remember the Spectron Musician III and II.
The latter being better.
It was one of the first Class D amps. It also used an analog ps.
A quite large transformer. It sounded great. There were some failure issues though. And the company was a bit shady. My system at the time was miles away from what I now have. So I can’t really give a clear opinion.
The Starke Sound amp looks very interesting. Combining an analog ps should be a significant thing. But since AGD I am just not interested in any other amp. It is easy to say that the search is over!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,406 posts
 
I will go out on a limb and say Class D amps as a group outshine most of the others as a group. The lesser ones are still good for the cost and the best ones compete with the best.

I say that as an owner running class d amps that range in cost from ~ $80 to $6000 retail and having heard many other amps of all types ranging up to 6 digits retail. 
yyzsantabarbara
4,937 posts
 
@mapman What are the best Class D in your opinion? I have a Pascal based D-Sonic M3a 800s that I use for bright headphones (it likes power). It works great but I am interested to know about others.
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Can someone answer this for me please, especially George...

Since all amps have sonic defects and no amp is perfect, why can't people with class D amps just live with those defects inherent to that topology and people with class A amps live with class A defects and people with class A/B amps live with class A/B defects and so on?

Like I said, no amp is perfect. So why all the hate for class D?  My class D amplifier, and others I've had, does a lot of things amazingly well.
Like women, my amplifier has some defects but I'm willing to live with it.

George?...
kuribo
524 posts
 
This gives noticeably better sound. No, it will not make it measure any different.

Trusting your ears is beneficial to getting great sound. Tru
Better for you maybe. Just more subjective bs. Like racing stripes on your car makes it go faster, lol. 
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