Class D is just Dandy!

Hifidream :

Interesting, very similar to the Yamaha EEEngine I wrote about a little while ago, and therefore similar to the Carver amps too.

Best,

E

I wish we weren’t ragging on Pass.... but yeah, my own experience (but in 2 different systems) was that ICEPower ASP was their equal.

Which also, by extension and if I have any integrity, means the Parasound Halo amps I've heard are also very very close.

Best,

E

@ whitestix

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1415192

Cheers George

I've come to a Class D amp not through any intentional act, but purely though preference for the sound quality. I had tube gear for years, then moved to Naim for about 10 years. I was going to upgrade along the Naim chain until I heard Devialet. I bought a D120 about two years ago, then upgraded to a D220 Pro in December. I've never had better sound in life. Musical and accurate and emotional. 

There aren't that many absolutes in the audio world. You can do SS or Tubes well or badly, and there are a lot of approaches to class D amps as well. But I would not go back to Naim or McIntosh for anything. And nobody who hears my system comments that it sounds metallic or artificial. Source quality matters, cables matter, power quality matters, and of course, we all have our own preferences in musical reproduction, But those who dismiss class D out of hand probably haven't heard a good system. Or else they just like the sound of tubes and their particular sonic signature. 

Blang 11

I think you are going to be very pleased with the Bel Canto Ref 600M monos. I just got my new pair installed a couple days ago, also replacing an ARC Class D stereo amp, model 150.2. The Bel Cantos already sound great, though I expect they will provide even more improvement with more break in.

My own theory is that ARC discontinued it’s Class D amps (and thereby all SS amps) to reduce and clarify product lines now that it is under common ownership with MacIntosh--ARC to concentrate on tube gear and Mac to do the big line of SS amps.