High End Amp Price Collapse musings

"D" would be the proper grade for the sound of these amps. They do not sound like music, IME. I will stick with my big fat Krell FPB 300cx.

Neal

Good thread but people keep bashing Class D with generalities.  I haven't read a D-basher here yet that mentions which high end Class D amps they've listened to that pale in comparison to their Class A or A/B amps. For instance - Neal, I'd be interested to know which recent Class D amps have you heard that are so bad?  I have to doubt you've heard the new NAD stuff and if you have and still grade it a "D", then I'd have to say you're fibbing.  It is not only garnering acclaim in every review I've read but I own one and have compared it to both a tube amplifier and a very well regarded Class A amp (ATI) and it kinda blows them away in most regards.

I haven't read a D-basher here yet that mentions which high end Class D amps they've listened to that pale in comparison to their Class A or A/B amps.

Then you should go back and read the whole thread.  While some have made blanket statements about Class D or Class A or AB, others have indeed cited specific examples. Read my post from  02-07-2017 at 10:30pm for one example.  However, I didn't bash the Class D amplifier (which actually sounded quite good in many respects) and I didn't say it "paled in comparison" but simply that I liked the Class A amps better.  
So much of what we hear is affected by listener preferences, the type of music played, the room, and the ancillary equipment that most attempts at gross generalities or blanket statements do nothing more than incite an endless loop of rebuttals.  

Mitch - I did read your previous post and my last post isn't intended for you at all as you did in fact mention some Class D amps that you listened to and compared (you are one of the very few to mention names and a comparison).  I respect that you prefer amp A vs. amp B, whatever the amp may be.  My point was intended for the vast majority of posters here that criticize Class D without citing a direct comparison or naming the Class D amps that they feel sound so awful.  I again mention that Class D has evolved greatly in the past 2-3 years so to compare a 5-10 year old Class D amp to what is presently out there isn't a fair comparison (I am not referring to your comparison).   I've 'called out' several 'basher' posters by asking what Class D amps they've listened to and have yet to hear a response.  

I directly compared the Spectron Musician III Mk.2 with all upgrades to my Sanders Magtech on my Magnepan 3.7i's.  With balanced connections, the Spectron did edge out the Magtech.  The only reason that I didn't buy the Spectron was that there was some weird interference issue that would just randomly happen.  It would manifest itself as static on my right speaker and sounded similar to cell phone interference.  

I'm considering the Merrill Veritas, which is also Class D.