2. amps-preamps
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Class D = Trash?

So, I'm on my second class D amp. The first one, a Teac AI-301DA which claimed to use an ICE module, was unlistenable trash. I burned it in for a few weeks, it just couldn't perform, so I sent it back. Following that, I tried the new Emotiva A-300 (class A/B). It was significantly better, but lacking in too many ways for my tastes. So I changed gears, got an 845 SET from China -- and it was an immediate and massive improvement.

So, before I went further down the SET road, I wanted to try a better class D product using a modern class D module. I settled on the D-Sonic M3-800S with the Pascal module and custom input stage. I read from reviews that these things like to have big cables, so I picked up an eBay 8 gauge power cable (Maze Audio, el-cheapo Oyaide copy plugs, braided 4-wire cable) to go along with it.

Mid-range GONE.
Soundstage depth CRUSHED.
Euphonics DISAPPEARED.

Yes, resolution went up. Driver control went up, allowing me to play compressed rock/pop and orchestra with the speakers being able to render it all. But enjoyment in the sound is basically gone. Using my best power cable (LessLoss Original) improved performance, but didn't fundamentally change the amp's nature. I ran back to my headphones (Focal Utopias) to detox my ear canals.

So, how long does a class D need to burn-in? I want to give it a fair shake before writing the technology off forever. 
madavid0
analogluvr
859 posts
 
I doubt class d will ever top a good 845. Don't fight it man, you know what's right!
seanheis1
623 posts
 
This link is to the best thread that I know of discussing the pros and cons of Class D technology vs Class A. The limitations of each technology is discussed in great detail.   
 
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/class-d-technology
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
you and your facts.
foey
21 posts
 
Did you listen to the amps before purchase? 
boneman73
36 posts
 
I may be able to add a very slight addition, to the volumes written here. Leave them on, or at least let them warm up well-longer than you'd expect for a solid state piece of gear. LIke, a couple hours. Think of tubes x2.

I'm a Jeff Rowland 501-pair owner. They were early serial number 501's and I had a catastrophic power event over New Years (2017) which cause both to crater. (let's just say, imagine your heart rate and stomach acid level when you realize both your Rowland amps are door stops....) ANYWAY - after a call to Jeff himself, and lest I digress, he's a true gentleman and engineer with SUPERB CUSTOMER SUPPORT even with amps bought used. Anyway: I had two new amp modules coming my way. The old ones were ICEpower 1000ASP, revD. The new ones were ICEpower 1000ASP rev J. Indeed, Jeff uses an input stage consisting of a Furman transformer, but the rest of the amp is the ICEpower ASP module - and I don't know, nor anyone maybe, if it's "Plain Jane" or "Jeff's Secret Sauce". What I can say about the "new versus old" is the Rev J modules (circa 2016 ish ?? I don't really know) sound better than the Rev D boards (circa mid 2000's?), and that's even before the Rev J's are really broken in.
Secondly...YES...break in time is crucial. When I bought my 501's, they'd been off for ~ year. I think they went through a break in period at that point, as they continually sounded better (and proceeded through the 'goofy midrange' 'echos in the mid bass' stages, then settled in). I'm now in that painful process with my new modules "brand spankin' new" - still not there yet (as I can't just let them run, right now: in May I will be able to. Family stuff. I digress, again) however I can attest to the break in time....but I want to add, and I haven't seen it posted yet - leave those suckers ON, or at least get them warm for a few hours before critical listening. 

To the astute reading this, you may have caught the dichotomy of "catastrophic power event" and "need to leave them on all the time". Yep. The need to leave them on led them to their demise. I have since installed an isolation transformer and voltage monitoring circuit. I do see myself turning them off for longer periods of non-use. Also - I will be installing PC-1's as another line of protection, as well as (hopefully) some sonice benefits, but they sure sound good as-is.
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