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Expensive amp or cheap classdaudio?

My four last amps in the order have been: Ayon triton II, still in function,Airtight ATM2, Audioresearch classic60, Threshold 400A.
Last sept. i bought a small classdaudio sds470 amp of $590 for my daughter and decided to test it with my Duntech Prince speakers.

Wow...what a big surprise! this small amp for DIYers has a high end sound....
If i hide which amp is operating, my golden eared friends could not realize that this is the small amp which is connected....incredible!
Two audiophile friends immediately bought one by internet,one for Tannoy the other one for Cabasse speakers and both are surprised that the sound is sooo better than with their former amp.
I am not anymore sure that well have to go on paying a lot to get a pure and transparent sounding amp..did you make a similar experience?
Sorry for my english but i am a frenchie talking from France.
maxitonus
donjr
1,335 posts
 
I read a review of the STI-500 and the reviewer bought the amp he liked it so much. Actually, most of the reviews of Wyred 4 Sound amps are stellar. My local shop is a dealer (The Analog Shop in Victor NY) and I might have to go for a listen.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I've compared W4S ST1000 monos class D with Tripath Sunfire SRA with Aerial 10t speakers:

They both sounded great in general with slight differences:

W4S: More definition, bass controll, precision.
Sunfire: More music, less bass controll, but more depth and warmth,
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,149 posts
 
Hadn't seen the classdaudio products before. Good to know about.

I believe Class D amps in general are a game changer in the hifi world moving forward.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
A very short note about digital amps:
As they become more popular they become to sound better by consumer's perception.
In reality having a Sunfire SRA model built in 2004 and comparing it with later class D models found no substantial performance difference. Another words couldn't say which one is definitely better.
gammajo's avatar
gammajo
844 posts
 
I love my Nuforce Reference 9 V3SE's, and find them better in many ways than more expensive and heavier (in weight and cost) amps. The comments about cleaner,clearer, and quicker, with excellent bass dynamics and control are spot on. Also leaving them on all the time at 2 watts idle allows near instant listening. Many friends with great ears also agree and have traded high dollar stuff and kept these. But there is a substantial psychological barrier that heavier, more expensive and more inconvenient must equal better sound. Also greater attention needs to be paid to vibration and clean power with these light weight designs.
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