Red Dragon's new S500 Class D Amp

1extreme

"I know you are probably thinking “why doesn’t this guy just order an S500 and try it for the 45 day trail” and that is what I will likely do but I don’t take returning amps lightly and wanted to hear some feedback if my direction / plans seem sound?"

I commend you on doing your homework first and respecting the manufacturer's needs as well as your own. Good luck.

You are right about the Kappa nines and eights needing a lot of power. I tend to think of power as high current power, I am not sure if the new amp modules fill that general requirement. We can talk about it forever and never know. The only way you can be sure at this point is to try the amps out. It is, for better or worse, the new business paradigm, now that we have killed off our brick and mortar establishments.

.
The Kappa 9 need to be bi-amped to get the best out of them. They also deserve a great preamp. Bi-amp them with two pairs of monoblocks and get yourself a great preamp, you will really have something special.
.

Mechans - "I tend to think of power as high current power, I am not sure if the new amp modules fill that general requirement." I agree with your power is high current premise and have to keep repeating to myself that "it's not the watts it's the current". Still old ways of thinking are hard to break and I still am wowed when I see phenomenal high watt ratings on Class D amps like the D-Sonic M3-1500M. And I am also not sure if the new Class D modules provide sustained high current.

Honestly I am not really sure what amp spec one can look at to determine if it is a higher current amp. I think if an amp "doubles down" at each watt/ohm rating form 8 to 4 to 2 that is a good sign but does that also hold true for Class D amps. I don't know.

Deanchat- What's your latest impression of the RD S500 after some more break in.They have a trade in policy for the M1000 Mk I, of which I have a pair, that's pretty generous. Thinking of upgrading to the S500 but would like to read more reviews.Thanks.