2. amps-preamps
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Oh how I wish Class D amps ...

I sure wish manufacturers and designers would move forward as quickly as is possible on improving the current status of Class D amps ... I have heard them all, some in my own system, and they have SO mcu promise !!! Unfortunately they just do not have it down yet. They still sound dry, unmusical, and strange in the treble ... kind of chalky and rolled off, and definitely lacking air.
I long for the day I can get rid of my hundred pound Class AB monster amp, for a nice small cool running amp that sounds just as good. I am worried though that designers and manufacturers have accepted the " It sounds good enough" opinion, and that the B&O Ice power may be a long time before it is "fixed"... sigh.
Just my rant ...
timtim
mfsoa
76 posts
 
What did you think of the Digital Amp Company Cherry Plus?

It has consistently bettered all Class D I have compared it to - Spectron, Channel Island, Wyred, Rotel.

Was so much better than the Modwright 100SE in my system.

Curious to hear what was lacking from the Cherry Plus that you auditioned.

See the StereoTimes reviews for a good description of what it can do.

-Mike

-Mike
frogman
7,442 posts
 
***and they have SO mcu promise !!!***

***They still sound dry, unmusical, and strange in the treble ... kind of chalky and rolled off, and definitely lacking air.***

Huh?!? What do you base the promise on?
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
Timtim ... your thoughts parallel mine . I have a 100 pound A/B amp and as i'm getting older, would like something small , light , and cool running . But have not heard a good sounding class D amp yet , I haven't heard them all . I don't think they will ever ketch up with A or A/B designs . And A , A/B designs are continually improving .
timtim OP
84 posts
 
Ok guys ... I overstated when I said " I have heard them all " ... I should have said I have heard MOST of them. I find they all sound slightly different, but seem to still share the basic traits I described to one degree or another.

I have not heard the Devialet yet, but have heard the Cherry Plus in a friend's system, and it sounded good until he switched back in his own Class AB amp, and the Cherry's shortcomings were immediately highlighted.

I should also clarify that many of the Class D amps probably DO sound as good as many Class AB amps ... What I am looking for is for a Class D amp that can sound as good as amps such as the McCormacks, Claytons, Electrocompaniet, etc ...

And lastly to Frogman : The "promise" I speak of, is the promise of small size, efficiency, power, etc ..
rhljazz
1,254 posts
 
You've heard them all, really? If they are not to your liking so be it. My experience with the W4S does not match your sonic description. I have a well regarded vacuum tube preamp in conjunction with a power supply that most users would not apply to a 1600.00 amp and the sonic result is excellent. You might try some other combinations of gear in your search.
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