Competitive class D amp suggestions

I wish there was a Class A amp that could compete with Class D.  😂

 

Sorry, I just dislike that framing as it's not really true.  There are some Class D amps I like a LOT more than some Class A amps.

As I have mentioned  I am fond of class D, but so far I did not audition a class D amp that sounds as natural and as clean as set class a tube amp that I'm using.y

Which class d amplifier you consider sounds more natural and clean than SET class A ones?

I really like the hybrid concept. Tube front end and class D for power. That seems to exploit the best of both designs although I don't have a recommendation for you. 

I am currently auditioning (for fun, I don't need them) a friend's brand new VTV Purify monoblocks with swappable op amps (he has Sparkos) and they are very good for an SS amp.  I too prefer my 6 wpc SET.   but if you're a fan of ss amps, give them a consideration.  --Jerry

Peachtree 400Gan. Very nice. 

A 5-6 watts SET integrated amplifier can give you enough power unless your listening are is extremely large and your speakers are too non-sensitive. Then there is no real need in hybrid setting. 

I have a SS preamp which gives very comparable soundstage to a tube one. I mean not necessarily a tube preamp will give you better results. I am inclined to think that power amplifier is more important. A preamplifier can give you an additional flavour and it's up to you if you like it or not. If you have an integrated amplifier then you "get rid" of such kind of care, at least you don't need to search for a best preamp for your setting trusting to the amplifier designer.  

Jerry, VTV Purifi might be a reasonable choice (for me). I did not try yet  a Purifi (or GAN) based class d amp. Could you help with more detail on auditioning this amp  (in particular compared to your SET amp)? 

Primare makes good stuff, imo. I have the I32 driving GoldenEar Triton 2+ speakers and really like that combo. You can add on a module to enable streaming too.

@niodari 
What 4 class D amps have you tried and which one is your favorite?  What speakers are you currently using? What is your max budget? Without these basic information, how can anyone reasonably offer any recommendations to you?

I have the "peachtree gan" and after 1 month i can honestly say that this amp is a high end amp. Very subtle - Not in your face at all - doesnt call attention to itself. Embracing - Good - Direct (In a nice way)

Well I have a March Audio P502 and it is awesome, based on a Hypex module.  Much more clarity and resolution than my Class AB amps, with powerful driving bass.  It's since been discontinued as March has gone all Purifi, but you may not need that much power so the P262 might be good for you.  March have much better build quality than VTV.  

  I am very impressed by the Audiolab mono blocks. Output is 250 watts rms each.

You don`t have to push them and having one amp for each speaker gives remarkable stereo separation. Listening to Bon Jovi or Paul Simon is quite amazing as I cannot hear anything from the speaker not being used in stereo at the music swings from side to side. I also have a DENON amp and I have just tried Dali Spector 2 speakers and I am most impressed, ideal for my. bedroom. I do think you need a good DAC though for the Audiolabs,  Mono blocks. The Naim V1 are very good indeed in my opinion.

The only one that comes to mind is the hybrid Rogue Audio Sphinx v3. It gets positive reviews everywhere, well except audio science review, but of course. I will have one at some point, just to see what all the hype is about. Herb feels it will become known as a classic, in the same league as the famous NAD integrated. The fact it is all analog with no digital dac or inputs appeals to me. I’d want to keep it seperate. Plus I like that it provides a fixed pre-out to facilitate connecting my still in use cassette deck. It supposedly has a great phono section and dedicated headphone Amp which is said to be very good. The v3 was tweaked to allow more of that tube sound to come through. It also doubles the power into 4 ohms, at least the previous two iterations did. The specs don’t indicate this in the v3, buy I’d expect it is unchanged. Plus, it just looks so damn good. They have not changed its appearance one bit. 

I’m surprised no one mentioned Ralph’s (Atmasphere) new class d amps. Give those a look. Good luck 

 

I ran a Mullard Tube Rogue Pre and a PS Audio S300 (Ice Power) for several years. I thought is sounded really good.  S300 lightweight, ran cool as a cucumber and powerful.  Definitely sounded better the longer you left it on.  Just recently switched to A/B to give it a try. I still think a hybrid topology is viable high end SQ. Rogue, PS Audio, Wyred4Sound., Peachtree all big bang buck stuff IMO.

I am 85 and have been fiddling with audio since the age of 10. I have owned quite a few good reasonably priced tube amps in my life. Because of the hastle of tube changing, I recently went in a simpler direction and bought a Rogue DragoN.(Hybrid class D).  After 3 months I have been very satisfied with this amp. In short it produces excellent sound referring to all critical aspects. I have not seen more than two reviews, but I, myself, recommend it.

Look at the D-Sonic line. I have one. very pleased.

I have the Rogue Sphinx 3 and with the stock tubes it was very thin sounding. I put in a pair of Mullards and it beefed everything up

Rogue Audio Sphinx v3. It gets positive reviews everywhere, well except audio science review...

ASR totally dismissed the product. They saved a lot of time by not bothering to listen to it. It wouldn't matter though they only listen (when they do) using a singular little bookshelf in mono.  

I have PS Audio M1200's...really like them.

switched from a A/B Rotel MKII i think it was...I find the M1200's more to my liking

Wow!  Obvious omissions here are the Orchard amps and AGD.

Orchard, AGD, and Atmasphere is the point where really interesting class D begins.

 

Orchard?
 

 

I run a pair of AGD Audions with a Rogue RP7 pre feeding Joseph Audio Perspectives.  Very happy with sound quality, lack of heat and size of monos.  

Thanks for the suggestions, indeed. It is a hard task to choose an amp without auditioning it. But since i decided to try another class D amp, it may take time and more efforts to come to decision. For example, I still have no clear idea yet on the sonic differences  between Purifi and GAN based amps, roughly (was not able to audition any of such amps).  I will check the other suggested options, but so far, I have no clarity. Would be helpful if you could be more specific on which features of the amp(s) you suggest you like or dislike. 

My first class D amp was PS Audio Stellar S300. I was really surprised how one can get that good sound for $1.5k.  I enjoyed it, it sound the best on live recordings, i like its compact size, the weight and it works completely cool even does not get warm. It is not an ideal class D amp for me, i think it lacks a bit mid-low frequencies. Exaggerating too mach, it sounds a bit like a megaphone, but it gives quite deep low and clear  high frequencies. My next class D selections were still not  ideal. The class D amp i am using now is Cherry Megaschino, the one I like the most among ones I had. It is not so traditional class D amp though because of its considerable weight, also it gets quite hot (hotter than my 200 watts integrated class AB McIntosh). But I think Megaschino is a better sounding amp, it somehow sounds more realistic and complete. Although the sound is somewhat clear and natural, compared to mu SET amp, exaggerating again, its reproduction is still a bit "dirty".  

As to the speakers, I use 3 pairs of Thiel speakers in different systems, CS6 in the main system with the 5.5. watts SET integrated, the bookshelf MCS1s with a Thiel subwoofer (that I currently use with the Megaschino) and CS3.6s. All of them are excellent speakers, I even never though to replace them. 

 

Just heard the Rose Audio integrated- GaN class D 400 wpc.  Very nice.  

Listened to a couple different Class D amps last year from Rogue. I thought they were ok played thru Gallo and Dali speakers. I found both models a little bright. I actually enjoyed the CM3 more which is a tube integrated though not particularly tubish in presentation. I would be interested in hearing more D amps but until my ears signed off I would be loath to put down my money. I will say the Sphinx v3 sounded better than the original model I heard 5-6 years ago so the technology is moving in a positive direction. I did feel the tube preamp added some texture to the sound and maybe that is the way to look at this....

I think the Belcanto is Class D

I am very happy with D-Sonic M3a-600M mono blocks powering my ATC Scm19's.  

@avanti1960  where did you hear the Rose RA180?  Here is the US?

I've been very happy with Class D for quite some time.  Early Hypex (UcD, Ncore), more recently Purifi and now Class D Audio Mini GaN 5.

Will be trying out the Peachtree 400 and their GaN1 in the near term.

Lots of options...

 

Underwood HiFi has 2 that have gotten excellent reviews

 

Warp 1 @ $1200

Voyager GaN 350 @ $3000

 

I have owned the Voyger for almost 1.5 years. Truly an amazing bargain

I have the Rogue Sphinx V3 and really like it. Agree with the previous poster who noted that tube rolling does help to beef up the overall sound but at the price it's an impressive amp. 

@embolek, how would you characterize, roughly, sonic differences between Ncore, Purifi and GaN amps ? Why you decided to try Peachtree 400 if you already had another GaN module amp? 

@tweak1 , did you sell the Voyager, why, did you get a better class D amp? 

I can't imagine what amp could replace my Voyager. I still have the EVS1200, to try as a subwoofer amp, unless someone wants to buy it

"how would you characterize, roughly, sonic differences between Ncore, Purifi and GaN amps ? Why you decided to try Peachtree 400 if you already had another GaN module amp? "

 

My Peachtree Gan sells  for $3000 - My Nad amp is purifi at $1,999 - I previously had the cherry desktop version "stereo amp" - In my opinion - the peachtree is the more sophisticated sound of the 3 - More grown up - More high end - The nad is good sounding as well - the cherry amp - id have to place 3rd - and if you didnt know any better - you would think the cherry and nad are fine and dandy.

The Nad sounds very good to me  The nad tries to be high end - but it is not - its more of "im the nad and i use purifi and i sound good - im here and why would you think there is something better then me

But the peachtree doesnt care what you think - its the older brother - with more of sophistication to its sound. again i have said it a thousand times but the peachtree is definitely the "high end" one - its very subtle and very clear and you dont get wowed by it - but its the more long term sound you can live with - without having the need so much to see whats even better still

@niodari It's all about the implementation.  Asking that last question is like asking how different bipolars, jfets and mosfets sound.

Give the Peachtree Gan400 a shot. You won’t be disappointed. 

Thanks again for the input. 

Based on your suggestions, current possible selections are (in the priority order)

Peachtree Gan400, March audio P262 (which indeed seems to be well built - just judging by photos), VTV Purifi, and i may check the other suggested options as well.

Thanks @twoleftears for your comment. Though my question could not be so stupid; e.g., it is a common point of view that Ice Power amps sound natural and less analytical then many class D amps. But of course, this does not classify them as the best class D amps.

@smargo, your explanation was very useful, especially when you compare three amps with different type of modules in a comprehensible may. I also owned Cherry desktop Maraschino (STM). Its main attraction is the size (and power it gives for that size). I think the AGD amps somehow borrowed the desktop concept of STM, at least, in the design. The Megaschino is considerably better (and also it costs about 5 times more i think).  

I have heard the Rogue Sphinx many times at a local dealer. Every pair of speakers has sounded good with it. I have a Peachtree amp 500 Driving a pair of Focal 1028BE speakers. I am very happy with the combination. I understand that the GAN 400 is better, but there are very good deals on the 500. If you can still find one…

+1 on the Rogue Dragon, have owned 2 and the Medusa that proceeded it. Fantastic, versatile amp that really sang for me using Telefunken's.

I run AGD Audion mono blocks. They are destination amps for me.

For decades, I was a die hard SET guy. Was always turned away from SS because of the SS glare or edge. Not a problem with the AGDs. And the lack of distortion is a game changer.

Knowing Ralph, bet his new Atma Class D mono blocks are also excellent. 
Not Class D but an innovative design, Bakoon also give a clear window with no objectionable colorations. I have their headphone amp. Easily replaced a Berning ZOTL.

I have had more than a few amps in my 2 systems over the last 20 years. The one class D amp that I remember was a PS Audio--dont remember the model number. great sounding amp.. Fast forward to probably just last year. I picked up a NuPrime. sta-6 (discontinued ) The STA-9 is current offering. The STA-6 has a class a pre stage in it with class D output. It does get a bit warm. Certainly not your typical class D amp. I am really surprised at how good it sounds. Ive pared down and in my main system there is only one other choice for amplification a Bottlehead Kaiju.. and have to run the BH on a different pair of speakers with high sensitivity.. The NuPrime STA-6 cost. 449.. not bad surprising punch way above its price point. I think buying a pair of the Wharfedale  EVO 4.3 on a whim and wanted to see what this   dome mid range  is all about  --not many designs use dome mid.   it just happened that this amp really likes the Wharfedales.  

Check ATI 500 series they have some

great class D amps 

also mono price has a couple back ordered till December 

 

Besides the ones I already mentioned, Jeff Rowland is another egregious omission.

Do you mean any particular JR class d amp?

As to Nuprime, i am not aware about STA 9 but still have HPA 9 preamp which is class a. Quite well sounding preamp by the way.

@niodari 

The UcDs were DIY amps that I build over 10 yrs ago.  Ncore via Teac, NAD, and Cambridge designs.   Purifi via Mivera.

I have always found that the source content really defined the listening experience. Garbage in...garbage out.

Never listened to vinyl and relied on CDs before streaming.  Had high end Levinson transports, class A amps.  Doesn't compare to streaming native content that I'm experiencing now.

I have to say that my old UcD 700 monoblocks sound really good through my Roon core and streaming via Qobuz.  The Purifi's are a good step above and my current reference.  The Class D GaN 5 gives me another level of definition.  I can't really describe it (and not going to throw out all the reviewers terms).  It just has me saying, I've listened to this song 1000 times and wow, it really sounds so much better.  If I had to use one word....layering.  Not 3D, but something special.

Looking forward to the Peachtree stuff and will also be trying the Rose RA180 when it hits the US. 

Orchard Audio KingKrimson Ultra.

They use GaN FETS and hence have almost  immeasurably low THD & noise.

checkout creek audio,, fantastic sound. cant go wrong

check this out

DA&T K422 Bi Amplifier

Also try different and better AC power cords. My only experience with class D was with older Bel Canto ref500m, thought they were so-so until I upgraded the PCs to DH audio red wave with furutech plugs, result was much better. I’ve heard the newer Bel cantos like ref600m are better still, you might take a look, but I’m leaning GAN design for cleaner treble and better imaging. There's no contest when you look at 10kHz square waves or treble THD. I’m still happily using class AB ML 532h. The atmosphere class d got a favorable mention in a trade show review recently. Benchmark AHB isn’t class D but might also interest you, and 30 day money back. Good luck and please tell us what you tried and selected.

Purifi and Orchard Audio have both gotten stellar reviews, which isn't surprising based on their best in class d measured performance and state of the art designs. They are your best bets. Peachtree uses a load dependent design and a low switching frequency which does nothing to exploit the benefits of GaN tech. Their design is far behind Purifi and more akin to Tripath and their tech from 20 years or more ago. They just use the GaN devices as a marketing technique. You can do better.