Class D audio vs James Romeyn

After some discussion, my friend loaned me his James Romeyn Class D mono block power amplifiers and I liked them very much.  They sounded much better than my Luxman 590ax Class A integrated amplifier.  The music was more open, detailed with much improved bass.  I was very surprised and could not believe it. 

I consulted with James and decided to buy his Hypex NCore NC400 dual mono block power amplifiers with 2 NC400 amps per side with the NC1200 power supply.  He recommended his Class D dual mono version for improved sound quality.

The amplifiers finally arrived and they were a step above his mono block power amplifiers. The sound quality from my Hypex NCore NC400 Class D duel mono block power amplifiers is amazing.  

My sound system sounds much improved over my Luxman 590ax Class A integrated amplifier.  I mentioned this before in previous posts but we removed the R141 chip from the 4 NC400 amps that allow increased volume setting from my Bricasti M1 SE DAC. 

I am hearing details, imaging and bass that I have not heard before. My system now offers breath taking detail, transparency, lack of noise, and excellent dynamics that I did not hear with the Luxman 590ax Class A integrated amplifier.  

I  purchased the Hypex NCore Class D amps from James Romeyn Music and Audio, LLC (James).  He was very helpful answering my many questions and I suggest you contact him for more information on his assembled Hypex amplifiers (he offers 3 models). 

http://jamesromeyn.com/home-audio-gear/

how old were the tubes in the Luxman?

My Luxman 590ax integrated amplifier was solid state.  Sorry, no tubes. 

bakalovb,

     My first class D amp was a classDaudio SDS-440-CS stereo unit I bought about 3 yrs ago.  I was very impressed with this unit that replaced a class A/B Aragon 4004 MKII.  It's very powerful (220 and 440 watts @ 8 and 4 ohms), is very affordable ($630), has an extremely low noise floor, great bass response,  excellent dynamics, has a very neutral character and has a very detailed but smooth mid-range/treble that is never harsh or bright.  This amp is also 1/3rd the size, weight and price of my former amp while never getting warmer than luke-warm no matter how hard it's driven.  Highly recommended.

     I believe the James Romeyn class D amps you mention is a kit built stereo amp based on the Hypex 400 power modules and switching power supplies.  James builds these kits in a custom case for about $1,500.  He also offers the same amps in mono-block form for a higher price.

     I have not heard this amp but, from what I've heard and read about them, the Hypex 400 kit amps are also excellent performers that have similar qualities as those I attributed to the classDaudio amp I own.

     There is another class D stereo amp that I know is very good in your price range; the D-Sonic M3-800S for $1,475. 

        http://www.d-sonic.net/products/stereo-amplifiers/

     The D-Sonic uses a different power module from a Scandinavian company (Anaview/Abletec) that is based on phase modulation while the 2 you are considering use pulse width modulation (PWM).  

     I own the mono-block version of this amp, M3-600-M, and can tell you this is the best amplification  I've ever used in my system.  They have the same attributes as my classDaudio amp but with more power, even better dynamics with an even smoother and sweeter mid-range and treble.  D-Sonic offers  in-home trial periods , too. 

    I'm not a dealer, just a fan of good class D amps 


Tim   

      

Thanks to everyone for the very useful information. There is one more class D company that also offers in home trial- Digital Amplifier Company? Anyone familiar with them?