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Class D is just Dandy!

I thought it was time we had a pro- Class D thread. There's plenty of threads about comparisons, or detractors of Class D.

That's fine, you don't have to like Class D amps, and if you don't please go participate on one of those threads.

For those of us who are very happy and excited about having musical, capable amps that we can afford to keep on 24/7 and don't require large spaces to put them in, this thread is for you.

Please share your experiences with class D amps!
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,245 posts
 
Also, Fremer’s position about switching amps all having these problems is utter nonsense. Even though the review is five years old, by 2012 digital amps were getting very good. This was unsubstantiated bias which is part of the reason why Stereophile subjective opinions don’t matter at all to me anymore.

http://www.stereophile.com/content/mark-levinson-no53-reference-monoblock-power-amplifier#gJgWo1W0Vq...

The ASP range which was released in 2003 is what I listen to today and I'm perfectly happy to say Fremer was wrong then and wrong now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICEpower

Best,

E
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,575 posts
 
As I read more and more about Class D amps, one thing stood out to me is the power supply. There are quite a few Class D amps out there that are being put together with DIY kits from Hypex. No doubt that these amps with DIY kits does a good 'job' on most systems and afford us the opportunity to stretch our hard earned dollars on rest of the components in the system.

But if you want the very best in Class D, consider auditioning the amps with NC-500 or NC-1200 module and SMPS1200A700 power supply. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 

The NC1200/700 is an excellent foundation on which to design a seriously good NCore NC500 or NC1200 based amp. The fabulous Merrill Veritas mono is proof positive.


However, NC1200/700 was designed by Putseys as a solid starting point, not as the ultimate power supply for NCore modules.


Putseys himself enhanced NC1200/700 for his own Mola Mola Kaluga amp, and Rowland uses custom multi-regulated SMPS in M825 and M925. Theta decided to implement their own toroidal supply for Prometheus.... I have not heard Prometheus, but knowing Theta, it is probably an extremely good NC1200-based amp as well.


Guido



    Some manufacturers have achieved even

wjt3
204 posts
 
+ 1 on the Class D Audio company-- Great amp!!! Driving 1.7i Mags
boneman73
36 posts
 
Not many Jeff Rowland owners have chimed in (Guido, aside). I have the (older, yet updated) 501 Mono's. The ICEpower modules inside have been taken from and early revision to the (presumably) latest (Rev J) as I bought them from Jeff in January (really not sure if its an upgrade - I had a bad power day in December and both blew).

I'm very much thrilled with the sound of the amps - yes, they are detailed, and very natural in the midrange. But what I've noticed (compared with my prior 'very nice' Audire class A/B dual mono) was the noise floor and, beyond my logic, the black backgrounds with LP's. It's like noise supression system on my turntable. I've gone back and forth - and something really magical happens in the treble. I hate that word "magical". I really do. But damn it. I can't explain it.

My next 'upgrade' will be the PC-1 modules. They are sitting in my music room, but I haven't installed them yet. I'm laboring through they very well documented, and necessary, breakin period. For those wondering, it's a bit like 7 stages of grief, with maybe 4 stages. Stage 1 - power on and a euphoric midrange, but not right. Kinda boomy but airy. Stage 2 - lack of midrange but bass rises. Stage 3 - bass is getting inline, and so it midrange. Stage 4 - OK...these are nice....
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