I think a special niche for Class D, where it offers undeniable unique benefits that support better sound quality, is as a more practical alternative to traditional big heavy expensive monster amps when lots of power and current is beneficial to drive certain speakers to their max.
That is what led to my foray into Class D. I got the 500 w/ch Bel canto ref1000m amps as my all out assault to drive my big OHm F5s to the max and that has worked out in spades.
There are other practical options in most other cases.
For example, the Bel Canto C5i 60 w/ch integrated I use on my smaller system does it all and the sound is the cats meow (very hard to fault) in that app as well, but there are many amps of many designs in the same power class that can work out just fine there as well. So not as clear a choice there. The C5i does have the other advantages of value (especially used), compact size and manageability, and versatility (includes dac and phone in a package smaller than a shoe box which also has the form factor to fit easily into the rack where it must live).
I would not expect someone who finds set sound to be most appealing to be allured by a Class D amp. It might approach the sound of a set if done a certain way but there is no value in replacing a good SET system with Class D if the SET checks all ones boxes. If volume/macrodynamics is of concern given SET amps low power output the solution is more efficient speakers, not a more efficient amp. A change in amp will likely trigger or necessitate a change in speakers and other things as well, a major ripple effect.
I would see merit perhaps in maintaining two unqiue systems with unique strengths and technical approaches, one SET and one CLass D or similar. That’s an experiment I have on my bucket list still. But frankly the C5i has worked out great and pushed that off for now a bit until such time I have ability or desire to pursue perhaps a third system just to see.
That is what led to my foray into Class D. I got the 500 w/ch Bel canto ref1000m amps as my all out assault to drive my big OHm F5s to the max and that has worked out in spades.
There are other practical options in most other cases.
For example, the Bel Canto C5i 60 w/ch integrated I use on my smaller system does it all and the sound is the cats meow (very hard to fault) in that app as well, but there are many amps of many designs in the same power class that can work out just fine there as well. So not as clear a choice there. The C5i does have the other advantages of value (especially used), compact size and manageability, and versatility (includes dac and phone in a package smaller than a shoe box which also has the form factor to fit easily into the rack where it must live).
I would not expect someone who finds set sound to be most appealing to be allured by a Class D amp. It might approach the sound of a set if done a certain way but there is no value in replacing a good SET system with Class D if the SET checks all ones boxes. If volume/macrodynamics is of concern given SET amps low power output the solution is more efficient speakers, not a more efficient amp. A change in amp will likely trigger or necessitate a change in speakers and other things as well, a major ripple effect.
I would see merit perhaps in maintaining two unqiue systems with unique strengths and technical approaches, one SET and one CLass D or similar. That’s an experiment I have on my bucket list still. But frankly the C5i has worked out great and pushed that off for now a bit until such time I have ability or desire to pursue perhaps a third system just to see.