Class D is just Dandy!

georgehifi

I shouldn't have bought them since my main goal was to upgrade the speakers.  I have too much equipment right now and need to Get rid of some excess stuff.  I really like the Meraks and will have to determine what stays and what goes.

randy-11:
"Can anybody list very affordable great sounding Class D amps - say below $2,000 for a stereo pair, and better or comparable SQ to a Sunfire amp?"

I'm not sure if you're looking for a stereo amp or a pair of mono-blocks.

But for stereo amps, I'd suggest:
ClassDAudio  SDS-470C for $700.  I own the model just under this, the SDS-440-CS for $630, and it's a very good performer so I would think the 470-C sounds similarly good with a bit more power than the 440-CS.  Not exactly audio jewelry but bargains sound wise.
D-Sonic M3A-1200S, 2 x 600w  for $1,875. Stereo version of the M3-600 mono-blocks that are very good.
D-Sonic M3A-800S,  2 x 400w  for $1,475. 
Red Dragon S500 2 x 250w currently on sale for $1,899 (reg price $1,9999 black in stock but silver temporarily sold out). Very well reviewed and uses dual Pascal class D power modules usually used in very hi-end amps.

For mono-blocks:

D-Sonic M3-600-M 1 x600w for $2,150/pair.  I've owned these for about 2yrs and use them to drive my Magnepans with 1,200w @ 4 ohms. By far the best amps I've ever used on them.
D-Sonic M3-1500-M 1 x1,500w for $2,750/pair.  I haven't heard these in my system but, based on the rave 6Moons review I read on these, they may give you the best performance short of spending $10k+ on the excellent Merrill Audio Veritas monos. Use the highly regarded Pascal power modules.
Red Dragon M500 1 x250w currently on sale for $750 each (reg price $800 each black in stock but silver temporarily sold out.)  Very well reviewed and uses  Pascal class D power module usually used in very hi-end amps.

     There are others I haven't heard such as the Nord monos from the U.K. and the James Romeyn Hypex NC-400 mono kit amp builds in Utah

Hope this helped,
    Tim
  

This "competes" is not saying anything, as I can "compete" against  Usain Bolt in a 100mt race, I don't think there'd be any money put down on me to win anywhere in the world! 

This competes
http://www.classdaudio.com/sds-series-amplifiers/sds-470c-class-d-audio-power-amplifier/

With this!!!!!
http://www.atma-sphere.com/Products/#M-60

Give me a break.

Cheers George

For that matter, Bolt can also "compete" against a cheetah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZuRTNidtCM

:-)

But I think we all know what the others mean by "compete," whether we agree with them or not.

Best regards,
-- Al
 

For that matter, Bolt can also "compete" against a cheetah.

I think we all know Al, that’s a far fairer race.
Than Ralph’s V the Class-D given the ideal speaker for each.

Cheers George