D-SONIC SOA Class-D Core Amps. The best Class-D ?


Owner/Designer Dean Deacon of D-Sonic in Houston in recent months dropped using the B&O ICE amps which he now only uses in the surround channels of his multi-channel home theater amps. He now uses a new Class-D amp in all of his Magnum2 mono and two channel amps which he states is the most technically advanced Class-D amp on the market, called the SOA Class-D core amps. The recent review in 6Moons of his new M2-1500M amp concludes its the closest that Class-D has ever come to tube amps in the upper mid-range and high frequencies.
Anyone bought or heard recently the D-Sonic M2-1500M or the M2-600M? What are your opinions?
audiozen
Henry..I thoroughly read through your site last night and all the reviews. I noticed you amps have an input impedance of only 8000 ohms. Wow thats low! Never seen an amp below 10K ohms. Curious as to why you don't adjust the input stage to raise the input impedance to make it easier for Preamps to drive your amps. Have you explored the recent developments of alternative current modulation from Abletec and Hypex, and do you have any plans to use their products in the near future, or do you think their approach to alternative modulation is nothing more than snake oil?
Hi Arthursmuck, I reside in the State Capital.... Just sent you a PM with more info. Guido
Audiozen,

Thanks for the interest. Yes 8k input impedance is low but not too terrible low. One has to be a bit judicious in choosing the preamp. Of course, most if not all solid state preamps will drive the amp fine. The only exception is those with open loop design and/or some tube units. Changing input impedance is certainly an option but I'm not equipped to work with surface mount components. But more importantly, Raising the impedance would introduce more noise, plus I like to keep the original designer's intent of how it should sound. I have not tried either Abletec or the Hypex, though I have customer who have listened to the Hypex Ncore so I have a very good idea of how they sound. I have intention of getting a couple the Hypex Ncore to try but discourage as the lead time is exceeding long, plus the fact that that the modules are extremely expensive so I have put it off so far. Someday I might try it. So currently I'm still using the Ice modules without the integrated switching mode power supply. I use traditional linear power supply for my design.
Interesting Henry..I noticed your Fire preamp has a very low output impedance of 20 ohms, which matches perfectly with your amps. Never seen a Preamp with an output impedance that low.
Since this thread is focused on Abletec/D-Sonic, as well as Hypex and other's, another newer Class-D switching technology just popped up. Phew!! hard to keep up with.
The Jeff Rowland Group had a private showing of their new Class-D integrated amp at CES, which is called the Continuum Series Two. No longer using B&O Ice Amps that where in the Continuum 500. The new integrated will be using the new Pasquale Class-D amps, exclusive only to Rowland. Rowland said at CES they are far superior to the B&O ICE technology. The integrated will be released in April and will put out 400 watts into 8 ohms.