Any one else like the class D ICE power amps?

Aim going to check out their web site.

I agree sound first everything else second everything else class D amps bring to the table are icing on the cake.

People who say class D amps sound flat IMO have'nt listened to a properly made class D amp. I think they equate distoration of class a/b as more engaging sound?

The Ice Power amps are anything from flat sounding their just lacking annoying distoration.

After listening to the almost zero distoration levels of my ICE Power amps I would never go back to a class a/b amp, it would be like going back to a CRT TV.

I have heard a lot of audio guys say the ICE amp & Tubes amps. are a great combo. I would like to hear a system that incorporates both as i do like the look of tube amps.

Thanks for the comment.

Kodg Man

I run the Gilmore Raptor monoblocks, which are highly modified ICE, according to Gilmore. They have no coupling caps on the inputs or outputs and massive linear power supplies, and weigh 37 lbs each. They produce 500 WPC at 4 ohms. The chassis is made from machined 1/2 inch thick aircraft grade aluminum and feels like one solid block of metal. I run them with a Supratek Chenin tube preamp and the combo sounds fantastic on my Infinity RSIIb speakers, which are known to be a difficult load. The Gilmores seem to have almost unlimited power reserves, and the bass impact is just fantastic. I am very satisfied with them.

Check out this review of the H2O 100. This will power any mortal speaker.
The review compares the H2O to a conventional amp.

http://www.iceh2oaudio.com/images/H20-Monarchy.pdf

Here is a summary excerpt lifted from the reviewer:

"H2O Signature 100: Summarizing the character of the Signature 100 can be
done with these words; delicate, powerful, dynamic, refined, and trans-
parent. The Signature 100 represents a few firsts for me. It is the first
affordable high power amplifier I’ve encoun- tered that sounds as delicate
and as resolute as a component that utilizes a short signal path. It is also one
of the first transistor amplifiers I’ve come across that has managed to focus
my attention away from those glass valve thingy’s. Unlike most amplifiers
that impart an obvious flavor to every selection of the music, the H2O’s
incredibly neutral presentation allows every component and recording to
stand on their own merit."

At $2000 the H2O 100 is cheaper than nearly all other ICE amps.

I should add, the H2O fire preamp is specifically designed to work with ICE amps as well as all other amps. The Fire's low impedance matches ICE amp's low impedance. It was used in the review I posted above.

I am running Murano P-1000S+ monos in my system with Maggie 3.6 speakers and I LOVE them! Murano Audio is (was) a Taiwan-based company using the B & 0 ICE Power modules. I agree that paying huge money for Rolands (or even Bel Cantos for that matter) is silly unless you absolutely MUST have the particular cosmetic design each offers. Not all ICE power modules are identical, however...some companies "tweak" the B & O modules with slightly upgraded parts, including output terminals and speaker connectors. The Murano 1000S+ monoblocks I own were the very last pair available on the planet! These were bought brand-new from Audio Video Choices out of Arizona. The sales rep / owner had gargantuan Krell monoblocks at $30,000 per pair, as I recall, which he "retired" to storage after getting the Muranos (which sold for $1800 per pair new!). One of the distinctive features of the Murano "plus" series ia the Swedish Lundahl input transformer. (Jeff Roland uses the same transformer, which not only makes for better impedance matching with a wide variety of preamps but also results in a lower noise floor / blacker backgrounds, better retrieval of inner detail and extended treble response. As far as I know, Bel Canto also includes the Lundahl "upagrade," which is not found in H20, Wyred 4 Sound, and other class D designs. I have not compared my Muranos with, say, NuForce or Channel Islands' offerings. Each of the above designs takes a slightly different approach to Class D, and some use proprietary (or highly modified) circuit designs. (The CIA Hypex design is from Philips rather than B & O, and quite good as I am told.) Some have compared the Muranos to Rolands side by side and could not hear a difference. And, as noted, a good Class D design can "smoke" highly-regarded class A/AB designs. (But careful system matching is a must.) I owned an early PS Audio Class D design and found it sterile and uninvolving. Later I owned a well-reviewed Musical Fidelity amp and found it to be pleasant sounding but lacking in dynamics, air, and inner detail. For the record, the owner of Audio Video Choices is not impressed with the Wyred 4 Sound offererings after owning the Muranos, even though the Wyreds have an upgraded input transformer and a few other tweaks. I would recommend a good tubed pre and even a tube (or tube-modified) disc player, if you listen to CDs / SACDs. My Class D amps are a GREAT match for my Maggie 3.6s...their high current / high damping factor help them really "grab" the panels and make them sing...and without the "coolness" some associate with Class D. IF I ever upgrade it will be a vertical bi-amp setup with Monarchy Audio tube-hybrid amps. That setup should add the "frosting to the cake" in terms of ultimate control of the Maggies with a smidge more warmth. Stay tuned...I MAY upgrade this year, and the amps will go for exactly what I paid for them...they are VERY RARE and probably the best bang for the buck in amps you will ever find!