Is D for Dry? Class D...

I posted back at the beginning of February asking about higher powered options to replace my SET amp (JAS Array 2.1), inquiring about Class D in particular.  There were some interesting options, most prohibitively expensive.  I eventually settled on trying the Red Dragon S500 based mostly on a couple glowing reviews.  My only experience with Class D had been abysmal disappointment with the Wyred4Sound ST500 several yrs ago, rolled off on the top, missing inner detail and although a dynamics bass region, one lacking in texture and definition.  

I hadn't been using the JAS recently as I had it packed up due to a couple of moves in a short time.  Instead I had a few decent solid state amps in service including a Cambridge Audio 840W, a pair of Xindak XA8800NME (which are really quite nice), and an Audio Zone AMP1 (gainclone).  I settled on the Audiozone for its better resolution, more precise imaging, and transparency.  All are pretty good amps though and would kill the Wyred without a doubt. 

Anyway, I purchased an unused Red Dragon S500 and installed it in place of the AMP1 (so, without any burn-in) and was instantly relieved to hear even more detail (quite a bit more) but in a natural, organic way.  There was no sharpness to the sound.  It was reminiscent of installing a good power conditioner.  The background was blacker and the images were more dimensional, more palpable.  There are reviews of the Audiozone AMP1 which give a good record of how nice this amp is but the Red Dragon bettered it in everyway important to me.   Dry and lifeless?    No way!   All that natural detail engages me almost as much as the SET amp had.  No, the tube amp takes the edge in palpability with a wetter soundstage.  But I like the Red Dragon better.  It's MUCH easier to live with.   I'm not saying Class D is special in itself.  There are plenty of lousy Class D amps.  But, the Red Dragon S500 is a real keeper.  Just don't dumb it down with inferior components or cables.

A well designed Class D amp doesn't rely on a bank of coffee can size caps and huge iron to feed the beast. It taps the wall current available on demand without dimming the lights...and is a Green Power user.

If a Stewart Pro Reference 1000 ever comes up to buy...buy it. It's a massive sleeper studio refence amp.

The Crown K1 and K2 are also brilliant alt tech amps with massive power and 3000 damping factor.

Class D sounds dry and lifeless... thats all, carry on

just because you didnt like the sound of the class d amp in this setup, doesnt mean that class d doesnt work in another setup.   

i have used class d amps a few times and one time it sounded great and the next time it didnt. 

finding equipment that has synergy with a pair of speakers is the key.

I will conduct a bit of forensic audio analysis. The GCC dates to about 2005, WFS STI 500 dates to about 2010, and Peachtree Nova 220 SE to about 2014. I had a pair of PS Audio GCA 250 amps - wow, that was a long time and a lot of gear ago! I had forgotten about them until I saw your post!  :) 

Looking at the class D amps you used, I understand why you drew the conclusions you did, but you did so with equipment that is about a decade behind, irrelevant to better system building today - at least for anyone who is wanting to be using better class D amps and putting up rigs that are far superior in terms of performance.   :) 

Conclusion? You are the better part of a decade behind due to reliance upon used/budget gear, it seems. This puts you out of touch with what is happening NOW with class D, and the conclusion you have reached is about... a decade off. You have used dated, fundamentally surpassed class D, and I do mean fundamentally. As it appears you have no experience with the latest crop of class D modules/designs, your premise that Class D is inadequate is colored by your lack of experience of current products. Consequently,  you perpetuate what are now misnomers about class D that no longer pertain. 

I actually address the perception/wrong conclusions that you and others anchor to in my article regarding the Legacy Audio i.V4 Ultra Amplifier published at Dagogo.com 

It is up to you whether you wish to be educated on this topic, or whether you wish to argue from a  position inexperience (that is, ignorant in terms of experience of more current class D amps), or one that suggests that older components will obtain the same result as current designs - typically, a budget audiophile perspective. No disdain toward it, as I was a budget audiophile for many years. However, it does not put the person in the position of speaking with authority on what is happening now in regard to sound. I don't mind discussion, but am not interested in arguing with people without experience. I suggest you need to moderate your declarative tone.  :(