Who tried Class D only to return to S/S or Tube

I owned Gilmore Raven stereo amp for a few years, then upgraded to the Raptor monoblocks. Was happy with them for several years as well.

Then I built a pair of two stage, direct-coupled SET monoblocks, with 6E5P driver and 833C power tubes, producing 200wpc. These are so much better from bass through treble that I was stunned. More real-sounding, more musical, and more authoritative. They make me want to listen to music as often as possible. I'll not go back.

Oh, and prior to the Gilmore Class D amps I owned Flying Mole Class D monos. The Gilmores were better than those, but the FMs were still nice sounding. I also auditioned NuForce Ref9 SE monos and thought they sounded awful - harsh and screeching are the descriptors that come to mind.

I don't see myself with anything but my 833 SET amps from now until I will them to my son.

I have 2 Class D setups currently.

My main system with Bel Canto ref1000m amps and ARC sp16 tube pre-amp that run a variety of speakers and my second family room system built around a Bel Canto C5i integrated.

I added the C5i recently to test the waters of a digital /Class D amp versus the tube/Class D hybrid approach.

My take is on Class D is that the technology delivers again perhaps the most neutral, dimensional and seemingly "perfect" sound.

Will that alone float everyone's boat?

Not likely. I suspect no one particular sound will.

But I will say I think building around a Class D amp to tailor the sound to what one will like is perhaps the most versatile and prudent approach out there today.

Reason is Class D is so clean neutral and dimensional. It's the best place to start, kind of like starting with vanilla ice cream. From there, no way to know what "flavor" will be preferred.

My two Class D setups sound nothing alike, even when using the same speakers essentially with both. But each is musical and enticing in its own unique way. If I had to choose just one, it would a very tough choice.

I have auditioned many tube amps in teh process but have never owned one. The Ci did replace Tube Audio Design Hibachi monoblocks which were SS amps designed by a tube guy as a reasonable alternative and those very quite nice in their own way as well.

I have gone back and forth about once a week for the past year. The only Class D I have owned is my current NC1200 Acoustic Imagery Atsahs. I also own a McCormack DNA-2 LAE that received Steve's Signature Edition upgrades (the best) in 2014. Before that, solid state with Clayton Class A M300s and M200s, Lamm Hybrid M1.1s, and top SS amps from Cary, Herron, BAT, and McCormack (DNA-500).

It has been difficult to decide whether I like the McCormack or the Atsahs better and I am set up so I can easily switch between them, which has been interesting. From a purely sonic standpoint, the Clayton M300s were the best I have owned but the Atsahs and McCormack are close, and have ergonomic advantages over the Claytons. The McCormack and the Atsahs have slightly different sonic presentations but the differences are not large and both sound great. I would say the McCormack sounds a bit cleaner and more extended while the Atsahs have a touch more tonal density. Both have great bass and, again, the differences are small.

Hi Tim and AIT, I more than sympathize with your shell-shocking experience with class D.... AIT you summarize it best when you describe the NewForce monos as "awful - harsh and screeching "... That was exactly my impression.... Let us not forget cardboard-like bass and completely lifeless treble... That is whenever treble does not screech to high heaven instead. As for Wyred4Sound, Tim you are being kind IMO... I tried to listen to the brand several time at RMAF, and the things were yowling like bobcats with ingrown claws... I typically resist a couple of minutes in the suite... As for Flying Mole... Meh!

It is funny how exactly the same module will make fab music in one amp (Bel Canto REF1000M), and screech in another amp. But after all, we should not be surprised... There is quite more than bare modules in Bel Canto amps... Those little boxes are designed by John Stronczer, an engineer/designer who has a profound understanding of what music sounds like.

Besides, Mapman is 100% correct... No matter how wonderful some class D amps might sound to some of us, their relative neutrality will make them inherently unpalatable to the lovers of much warmer sound... And... Vive la difference, n'est pas?!

Guido